As the snow starts to disappear, student athletes fill the the weight room. 

Eager to get a jump-start on the season, boys and girls lacrosse, baseball, softball, cheer, the dance team, and the track team have scheduled weightlifting workouts a couple days a week in preparation for their upcoming season.

While ages and skill levels remain diverse, there seems to be a common goal among the athletes: growth and preparation.

Workouts vary depending on gender, sport, and ability, but almost always focus on improving the upper and lower body, abdomen, and flexibility. There are also some teams that work on running technique and conditioning.

Angie Raney, sophomore, started working out for softball in November, and lettered in weightlifting in early February.

“Obviously I hope to gain some upper body strength and sharpen my skills,” Raney said, “But I always strive to be the best teammate to others and work hard.”

While the workouts are mainly captain and player run, athletes are pushed by Paul Sparks, strength coach, who creates their workouts and is very involved in the development of HHS athletes.

Sparks is a believer in hard work and accomplishment made through teamwork.

“I want kids to see the benefits of training consistently,” Sparks said, “I love seeing teams win games after they earn it. That’s what it’s all about, working together.”