Whatever the New Year brings sports-wise, PCHS athletes will rise to the occasion. Thanks to their coaches, they’ve had plenty of opportunities to train. Now, it’s a waiting game.
Typically, Pershing athletes stay in shape through competing. Unlike larger school districts, Lovelock does not have clubs or training facilities.
That’s why, at PCHS, the coaches expect everyone to play two or three sports, not just one. In the fall, they may play football, soccer or volleyball. Next, come the winter sports – basketball and wrestling. Finally, baseball, softball and track follow in the spring.
“We encourage them to condition and train during the summertime,” athletic director Mike Brooks said in a recent interview with NVSportsLocal. “Some of our groups will spend a lot of time working in the off-season and traveling to area tournaments and camps. Other years, we will have trouble getting any of the kids to participate in extra training or competition.”
Of course, that was before March 2020, when the corona virus upended spring sports after two weeks. One by one, summer tournaments and camps fell like dominoes. Fall came and went without football, soccer or volleyball.
The PCHS coaches stepped up to help the athletes stay active. Throughout the summer, volleyball coach Monica Halverson posted workouts on a private Facebook page every Monday. It included cardio, push-ups, sit-ups, walking, cycling and other components.
The girls who completed at least 85 percent of the workouts got a reward — their names printed on the backs of their hoodies for free.
As football coach, Brooks also challenged his football players to complete a summer workout regimen.
They had to train on their own since the high school weight room closed in mid-March due to COVID-19.
Once school got started, the basketball coaches encouraged their players to work out in the open gym after school. According to the NIAA protocols, they couldn’t scrimmage. The only time they could take off their masks was during water breaks. But still, some persevered.
If you stopped by the gym any weekday afternoon, you’d find Coach Jesse Canchola and Diego Gonzalez, Dalton McNeff, Victor Flores, Jordan Gentry and Ashton Nolf shooting hoops and polishing their footwork.
On the girl’s side you’d find Coach Lee Houston and Pati Carapia, Connie Kersnowski, Julia Steele and Hannah Stairwalt, all graduating seniors. The younger players included Kylee Fuller, Aledda Sam, Bela Rosas, Kaydance Happy and Mady Grenz. Presley Burrows, a junior, has been playing club volleyball in Reno.
Meanwhile, the weight room reopened and Brooks restarted the football team’s lifting and workout requirements. By winter break, several athletes had completed the 28-day regimen.
They included Logan Oberman, Haydon Burrows, Conner Fecht, Victor Flores, Jordan Gentry, Bryce Sherron and Devin Moura. Soccer players Kylee Fuller and Tavis Hunt also decided to join in. Each walked away with a custom backpack.
The students return from winter break on Monday, Jan 4. They hope for modified seasons of a few of their favorite sports. Coach Canchola summed up their attitude in two words. “They’re ready,” he said.
“We’re all keeping our fingers crossed,” added Houston.
