A Partnership of Health and Physical Well-Being

A Partnership of Health and Physical Well-Being

Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools partners with Avera Health Systems to improve the health and physical fitness of our students and staff. Through this partnership, the students have gained a full-time trainer in Colin Fromelt. Colin majored in sports science and kinesiology before interning with Avera in 2015. In the spring of 2018, Colin came to O’Gorman High School with a desire to improve our athletes’ and students’ physical fitness.

The partnership began working with the football program but has since expanded. Colin works with a majority of the sports teams at the high school, as well as working with students looking to learn more about their health and physical well-being. Working year-round with in-season sports teams, his summer program offers several camps as young as seventh grade.

“The earlier the better as long as you introduce them to movements and patterns and technique the right way.” said Colin. Aaron Strand, cross country and track and field coach, believes that having Colin at the school working with the students is a great benefit for everyone.

“Colin puts in a ton of time helping our athletes. I have really seen an improvement in form, strength and technique. Colin is a big bonus to our athletic programs.” Strand commented. Athletes at O’Gorman work with both their coaches and Colin to maximize their athletic ability while minimizing injury.

“In weight training, it’s very slow in terms of movement and when you’re out on a court or field or wherever, it’s not slow. You have to be explosive and be able to accelerate, decelerate, change direction and make sure your joints are ready to go,” Colin explained. He believes the lifting and agility training - paired with the practice students have with their coaches - helps make the students better and safer athletes.

Coach Strand said, “Colin has been a big part of the success of our distance runners. They have become stronger and more confident due to Colin’s work.” Both the lady Knights cross country team and track and field team won back-toback state titles.

Colin strives to keep a welcoming and judgement-free environment at the gym. He says he sees a lot of students come in to the weight room who would not normally. Once they get started, they branch out and start to talk to other people. Non-athletes are also encouraged to learn more about how to train properly in order to avoid injury. The only requirement is that they follow a specific program Colin puts together to ensure their safety. Having more students working in the gym is one of Colin’s goals.

Sophomore Will Heineman placed second at state and national power lifting competitions this past season and agreed that Colin established an inviting atmosphere at the gym. “I would tell someone that it isn’t a scary thing to get involved in. The lifting community and environment is super supportive. Everyone cheers each other on to be the best they can be.”

Colin said that his favorite moments in the gym are when kids hit their personal goals. It may not be anything monumental on the field but a small personal victory in the gym is a sight to see.

The partnership between Avera and O’Gorman has remained strong over the years and Colin feels that the partnership makes sense.

“The same underlying beliefs which, I believe is important in a partnership, not just with religion but with professionalism. I think that’s been really cool to see a hospital system and a high school working together professionally.” Colin feels that the mission statements of Avera aligns with Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools mission. He sees the staff, who work out alongside the students in the weight room, having the same vision and excitement that he does for the kids. Colin continues to challenge himself and sets goals both in the weight room and personally.