Burnet athletes go through summer conditioning
After finishing up in the weight room and with other drills, Burnet High School athletes broke into several lines for a session of cool-down stretches. Staff photos by Jennifer Fierro
JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER
BURNET — Typically, participants of high school and middle school summer strength-and-conditioning programs have the week of July 4 off.
But not the Burnet Bulldogs.
Those athletes worked out June 29 and 30 after starting the program June 8. Almost 80 high school athletes have been attending workouts four days a week.
Athletic director Kurt Jones noted not all participants are football players. In fact, the summer program has drawn basketball and baseball players, too.
“We’re glad,” he said. “It’ll help them out.”
The Lady Dawgs have had about 30 participants.
The purpose is to help athletes get stronger, increase speed and have more agility, Jones said.
The program is led by coaches Sonny Wilson, Greg Lopez and Codi McCorkle, members of Mad Dawg Fitness. Wilson owns the fitness center.
“One of the big things that led us to go with him is he’s a former Bulldog,” the athletic director said. “He loves the Burnet Bulldogs. He’s about the kids. That means a lot. We felt like we needed that.”
Other instructors include former Burnet athletes Nicky Skinner, an offensive lineman from about six years ago; Dustin Huehler, a former defensive end from five years ago; Trenton Hafley, a former running back who is a walk-on at the University of Texas at Austin; and Cassidy Connolly, a former Lady Dawg.
“A few of them are a little bit older (than our current players). They know them,” Jones said. “We have a good relationship with some former players, who are tied into what we’re trying to accomplish. It’s good to have a tie-in, and kids see where they are.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com