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FLEXIN’: SCHLEGEL RETURNS TO NFL AS STRENGTH COACH FOR JAGUARS
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Former HP wrestler and NFL linebacker looks to strengthen rebuilding franchise
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
From 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 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.
“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
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 fueled our offseason. The girls got a lot stronger and faster,” Dearman said. “We feel like the region is wide open, more so than it has been. Because of that, we’re in a really strong position. There’s a great opportunity in front of us.”
The returnees are led by four-year players Emily Hellmuth, who is verbally committed to Pepperdine, and Presley Wright, who plans to play beach volleyball in college at South Carolina.
Sydney Breon was named the District 13-5A PCP_Aug2021x10Banner-DRAFT1.pdf 1 7/8/2021 12:38:16 PMmost valuable player last year as a sophomore, while Ceci Gooch will be back on the court after missing last season with an injury. Also back are setter Gracie Braner and defensive specialist Bela Alomar. With so many veterans on the roster who know the system, Dearman can focus on evaluating where newcomers will fit into the rotation during early-season practices and tournaments. “It’s going to be easy to ramp up quickly. The newer players will have time to learn,” he said. “It allows us to put a lot of focus on our younger players, using our experienced players as mentors. That will pay dividends later this year and beyond.”
Michael
Dearman
Emily Hellmuth and Margo Flint are two of Highland Park’s returnees this season. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY) Everyone has benefited from a full offseason after the COVID-19 pandemic caused scheduling chaos in 2020, including the elimination of tournaments. This year, after their traditional season opener against Red Oak, the Lady Scots will face tough opponents at tournaments in Rockwall, Justin, and Leander, where they will be part of the prestigious Volleypalooza event for the first time. “We schedule the toughest competition we can,” Dearman said. “It’s going to be great to start the season with a little bit of lead time and then hit the ground running.”
SCHEDULE
August 10 at Red Oak 7 p.m. 13-14 Rockwall tournament TBA 17 at Colleyville Heritage 7 p.m. 19-21 NW ISD tournament TBA 24 Rockwall 7 p.m. 26-28 Volleypalooza tourn.^ TBA 31 Waxahachie 6:30 p.m. September 3 Aledo 5 p.m. 7 at Rockwall-Heath 6:30 p.m. 10 Royse City* 5:30 p.m. 14 at West Mesquite* 5:30 p.m. 17 Greenville* 5:30 p.m. 21 at Crandall* 5:30 p.m. 24 at Forney* 4:30 p.m. 28 North Forney* 5:30 p.m. October 1 at Mesquite Poteet* 5:30 p.m. 5 at Royse City* 5:30 p.m. 8 West Mesquite* 5:30 p.m. 12 at Greenville* 5:30 p.m. 15 Crandall* 5:30 p.m. 19 Forney* 5:30 p.m. 22 at North Forney* 5:30 p.m. 26 Mesquite Poteet* 5:30 p.m.
* — District 13-5A match ^ — at Leander
