24 August 2021 | parkcitiespeople.com
Sports
FLEXIN’: SCHLEGEL RETURNS TO NFL AS STRENGTH COACH FOR JAGUARS Former HP wrestler and NFL linebacker looks to strengthen rebuilding franchise conditioning coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The job reunites him with firstyear Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer. Schlegel served four years as an assistant strength coach under Meyer at Ohio State, his alma mater, from 2012 to 2015.
Everything is about increasing the value of our athletes. Anthony Schlegel
Highland Park graduate Anthony Schlegel is back in the NFL as the head strength and conditioning coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. (PHOTO: COURTESY JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS)
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
F
rom his beginnings as a wrestling state champion at Highland Park to his career as an NFL linebacker to his
entrepreneurial ventures in the private sector, Anthony Schlegel has never lost his passion for helping athletes reach their peak. Now the Park Cities native is back in professional football as the new head strength and
You’re always thinking of ways to be creative to help players move the needle for themselves, which moves the needle for our team. Anthony Schlegel “He helped me grow in the profession and pushed me to where the field was going,” Schlegel said. “Knowing how he wants it done and the importance of the
weight room, that’s why you take on an opportunity like this. The standard of excellence that he demands, that’s a no-brainer.” Schlegel, 40, was a defensive standout for the Buckeyes before graduating in 2005, then was a third-round draft pick by the New York Jets. He played professionally for a few seasons before returning to Ohio State. After leaving in 2015, Schlegel wasn’t sure whether he’d ever return to a full-time football role. He returned to school for his MBA, founded his own fitness company, secured two patents, and even served as a part-time radio talk-show host in Ohio. “All of those different experiences prepared me for this,” Schlegel said. “I saw the intensity with which people train and how that makes them feel. You’re constantly growing.” In Jacksonville, he oversees a sports performance staff that focuses on everything from weight routines to nutrition. “It’s been fantastic. I love
working with the guys,” he said. “Everything is about increasing the value of our athletes. You get to leave your mark a little bit. How do I get our 90 to be the best 90 they can be? Did I give them enough in training to allow them to have an opportunity?” The Jaguars recently announced plans to build a $100 million football performance center in downtown Jacksonville. It will include 125,000 square feet for a new practice facility, plus state-of-the-art spaces for weights, training, recovery, player dining, and more. “You’re always thinking of ways to be creative to help players move the needle for themselves, which moves the needle for our team,” he said. “You have to keep thinking of ways to be engaged and maximize them.” Meanwhile, Schlegel and his staff have been busy preparing for the upcoming season. The team has a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 29 in Arlington.
Familiar Faces Look to Net Deep Playoff Run for HP By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
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SCHEDULE
We return a lot of experience and a lot of talent. Michael Dearman
Highland Park’s starting lineup will look quite familiar this season. And that has the Lady Scots feeling optimistic. Eleven players return from last year, and most of them have played multiple seasons at the varsity level, making this HP squad as deep as it is seasoned. “We return a lot of experience and a lot of talent,” said longtime HP head coach Michael Dearman. “We’re really excited about the leadership.” The Lady Scots ended the 2020 campaign with a five-set loss to Midlothian in the third round of the Class 5A Region II playoffs — a match in which HP won the first two sets. “We certainly were disappointed. That loss Emily Hellmuth and Margo Flint are two of Highland Park’s returnees this season. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY) fueled our offseason. The girls got a lot stronger Everyone has benefited from a full offseason and faster,” Dearman said. “We feel like the back are setter Gracie Braner and defensive after the COVID-19 pandemic caused region is wide open, more so than it has been. specialist Bela Alomar. scheduling chaos in 2020, including the With so many veterans on the roster who Because of that, we’re in a really strong position. elimination of tournaments. know the system, Dearman can focus on There’s a great opportunity in front of us.” This year, after their traditional season opener The returnees are led by four-year players evaluating where newcomers will fit into the against Red Oak, the Lady Scots will face tough Emily Hellmuth, who is verbally committed rotation during early-season practices and opponents at tournaments in Rockwall, Justin, to Pepperdine, and Presley Wright, who plans tournaments. and Leander, where they will be part of the “It’s going to be easy to ramp up quickly. to play beach volleyball in college at South prestigious Volleypalooza event for the first time. The newer players will have time to learn,” he Carolina. “We schedule the toughest competition we Sydney Breon was named the District 13-5A said. “It allows us to put a lot of focus on our can,” Dearman said. “It’s going to be great to younger players, using our experienced players most valuable player last year as a sophomore, PCP_Aug2021x10Banner-DRAFT1.pdf 1 7/8/2021 12:38:16 PM start the season with a little bit of lead time and while Ceci Gooch will be back on the court as mentors. That will pay dividends later this then hit the ground running.” after missing last season with an injury. Also year and beyond.”
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August at Red Oak 7 p.m. 10 13-14 Rockwall tournament TBA at Colleyville Heritage 7 p.m. 17 19-21 NW ISD tournament TBA 24 Rockwall 7 p.m. 26-28 Volleypalooza tourn.^ TBA 31 Waxahachie 6:30 p.m. September Aledo 5 p.m. 3 7 at Rockwall-Heath 6:30 p.m. Royse City* 5:30 p.m. 10 14 at West Mesquite* 5:30 p.m. Greenville* 5:30 p.m. 17 21 at Crandall* 5:30 p.m. at Forney* 4:30 p.m. 24 28 North Forney* 5:30 p.m. October 1 at Mesquite Poteet* 5:30 p.m. 5 at Royse City* 5:30 p.m. West Mesquite* 5:30 p.m. 8 12 at Greenville* 5:30 p.m. Crandall* 5:30 p.m. 15 19 Forney* 5:30 p.m. at North Forney* 5:30 p.m. 22 26 Mesquite Poteet* 5:30 p.m. * — District 13-5A match ^ — at Leander
