Physical Fitness Team
Congratulations to coaches Thomas J. Handloser and Sgt. Maj. R.S. Jernigan and the Rockeet Fitness Team for last year's National Championship! Here's to another great season in 2010-2011!
Every day during L1, the Physical Fitness Team gathers outside the ROTC room for 25 minutes to work out. Though some join the team just to have an activity to do during lunch instead of a study hall, they soon find out that it's not all fun and games, and those 25 mintues can turn into some of the longest minutes of once's life. Focusing on the exercises such as pull-ups, standing long jumps, sit-ups, push-ups, and 300 yard shuttle runs, the team also deversifies its workouts with jumping rope, climbing stairs, distance running, and trips to the weight room, the hill, and War Memorial Stadium. The team team begins workouts in September and works all year to earn their way to San Diego, California, where national competitions are held between as many as 2,900 teams during some years, though some of the less fit among the team's members like to joke of being on the "San Francisco Squad," a ficticious competition where they always win. Freshmen interested in joining the program can begin workouts in January pending a review of grades by Mr. Wells, since one is required to sacrifice his lunch study hall in order to participate. Boys with strong bodies, strong wills, and strong minds have been doing great things on the fitness team for decades, and the program is showing no signs of stopping that anytime soon.