“StudentAathletes to Train in Off Seasons“
By: Katelyn Stearns
This winter, the district’s new athletic director, Kyle Polzin, announced that GTS, an expert in sports performance training, would offer free sessions for out-of-season athletes. Students may train before school in the weight room two or three times a week. Athletes may also train after school at the GTS center in Elkhorn, with reduced membership cost. This specialized training is expensive and not readily available, which makes this an excellent opportunity for students..
GTS was founded by Michael and Morgan Gonzalez in 2014. The head strength coach is John Alder. He and Michael Gonzalez are the coaches for the students working out before school.
Our Athletic Director, Polzin, states that he decided to introduce GTS to the district because, “…I thought it would be a great opportunity for our students. GTS is an expert in sports performance training and has years of experience working with and helping athletes reach their full potential. Our goal is to get our student body interested in weight lifting and for them to grow and develop into well rounded athletes. Ultimately, I am hoping this changes our weight room culture. I want our athletes to buy into the importance of weight lifting and take advantage of the opportunity afforded to them.”
The Delavan-Darien School District has recently switched to the Rock Valley Conference, which is larger than our previous conference and offers new competitors. Polzin believes that “our new relationship with GTS will give our student athletes a competitive advantage over our opponents and help us reach our goals.”
The GTS training focuses largely on helping athletes become stronger and faster. This is important in every single sport offered at DDHS. By training during the off-season, athletes can maintain their athleticism, prevent injury and improve strength and speed.
Typically, a GTS session begins in the DDHS West Gym, where a variety of dynamic stretches are practiced. Often, there are some sprinting and jumping routines. Then, athletes complete varied exercises to work muscles specific to their sports.. Some exercises include bench press, goblet squats, band pull-aparts, incline bench-press and resistance-band training.
The sessions are challenging but gratifying at the same time. It’s satisfying to know that you’ve worked out before most students have woken up. Vivienne Frenz, a sophomore and tennis player, said “Since starting GTS I have increased my endurance and the variety of exercises we do keeps the workout interesting and enjoyable. At the end of each workout I feel accomplished, refreshed and alert.” Mackenzie Karbash, a sophomore and swimmer, also commented, “I have noticed I’ve gotten stronger from GTS workouts in my everyday activities.”
There are currently 47 students participating in GTS, and it will continue to be offered for the remainder of the school year. Depending on student interest, GTS may be provided during the summer and the 2024-2025 school year.
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