With 200 students currently enrolled in the weights program, debate has risen over a new program called Bigger Faster Stronger or BFS.
Students were complaining about teachers making them lift too much weight and some just didn’t like the scheduling. In the depth of the Hastings High hallways students reached out to give their opinions. Sophomore Cambria Collins isn’t happy with the changes to the program.
“Get. Rid. Of. It. You have to go at your own pace. Sometimes you go slow and sometimes you are ahead of the clock,” Collins said. “I don’t like that we have the clock because I am always rushed and lifting has been a way for me to release stress and forget what’s going on around me.”
There are some things Collins misses.
“I wish they would bring back the agility training and the box squat,” Collins said. Sophomore Leah Smith is pumped for the new weight room changes,
“I am motivated by the new weight room because it’s pretty and I’m excited to get better for the upcoming soccer season”. Other aspects of change were the coaching staff. Junior Quarterback Vinny Schmidt is anticipating a better year of weights.
“Coach Shoemaker gets more involved by pushing us harder than the previous coaches did and I feel coach shoemaker will take the weights program to a new level of greatness,” Schmidt said.
Last year one debate was student athletes injuring themselves by lifting too much weight. Schmidt was optimistic about the coming season and possible injuries.
“Coach Shoemaker stresses great form and pushes you hard in a way that isn’t dangerous,” Schmidt said.
He added that Shoemaker’s method of going up slowly in weight as athletes feel comfortable builds strength without injury. Veteran lifter junior Zane Bender is encouraged by what he sees so far this year.
“I like this year better because the coaches have more knowledge and have had success with other programs,” Bender said.
The weights program with new leadership and equipment is off to a good start for the school year.
