HOW ATHLETES ARE TRAiNiNG
in quarantin 6 FEET
Story by Noah Neri Graphics by Brooke Johnston The Paw Print is continuing its look into how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected students by interviewing West Ranch athletes about their training at home. For many West Ranch students, athletics is a passion, another area in which they can strive for excellence. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic closing schools and shutting down gyms and sports training programs, many athletes have been forced to modify their training routines. Varsity volleyball player Kaitlyn Jizmejizan told The Paw Print, “It’s been tough not being able to practice with other players. This year my team has added new players so it would be nice to get to know their habits on the court and practice next to them.” In order to stay in shape during quarantine, she has been taking private lessons with a local volleyball club, and her coach has given workouts to do at home. Despite a delayed season, she remains hopeful about returning, as she believes “this year we have a great chance of winning the league.” Jizemjian hopes to make a deep run in the CIF playoffs.
Another West Ranch athlete, swimmer Harrison Kim, described how with the pandemic, “procedure has changed.” He told The Paw Print sign-in to club practices is much stricter now, and how “it is always six feet apart, masks on, unless you’re in the water. In the pool it is max four to a lane and two per side.” Kim is maintaining healthy habits, as he described his daily routine, as “working out separately in the mornings” then “training with my club and sleeping right.” The Paw Print also asked West Ranch Varsity Basketball Coach Jeff Bryant how he’s keeping his players in shape and motivated for a potential season. He told The Paw Print that West Ranch Basketball “has a full regimen players can do on their own” and that he “encourages athletes to be creative with their workouts to challenge themselves and to find some type of motivation to push through.” Bryant also described how the quarantine has created a skill gap between some of his players. When asked if there was noticeable changes in team conditioning at the beginning of practice this year, Bryant replied, “I have seen a change, some athletes really took advantage of
