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February 3, 2023

Landon Crisp works on the straight bar dead left weight lifting exercise at Huntley High School's weight room.
Steve Peterson
Landon Crisp works on the straight bar dead left weight lifting exercise at Huntley High School’s weight room.

Sports • February 3, 2023

Red Raiders pump iron all year long

By

HUNTLEY — On a below-zero Tuesday morning in January, a section of the Huntley High School weight room was busy.

Football players reported about 6 a.m. ready to pump iron on the weight lifting industry’s latest equipment. A huge sign “Huntley Strength” seems to over look the proceedings.

Successes in the weight room are posted on one wall, including lifts of hundreds of pounds. HHS alum Justin Herbert has one of the top records of 1,300 pounds.

“So far this off-season our off-season lifting has been tremendous with our numbers around 70 players for the workouts at 6 a.m.,” HHS football coach and weight room coordinator Mike Naymola said.

Coaches praised the support from their peers as well as school administration and HHS Boosters.

“The equipment is everything you could ask for. But the main thing is to come together as a team,” football player Landon Crisp said.

Head football coach Mike Naymola supervises the weight lifting room use as well as coaches when their teams are scheduled.

“The weight room is arguably the most important part of an athletic program, especially in the off-season,” Naymola said. “It’s when you grow as a person and more importantly as a team. Teams that put countless hours of work together in the weight room build trust and that trust is always evident when the lights come on Friday nights. Coaches always have a great idea of who they are going to be able to trust during the season.”

There are various approaches to lifting strategies but the Red Raiders have one overall one.

“Our lifting program has benefited our players greatly over the years,” Naymola said. “We train our players to become stronger and more explosive. The end goal is to be a better athlete for your particular sport. There is a lot of merit to other lifting styles. We just adhere to ours and we believe it works.”

Basketball player senior Ty Goodrich also likes his weight room time.

“Getting bigger and stronger has been one of my priorities during the off season,” Goodrich said. “It helps you guard guys who may be taller and faster than you.”

HHS adds the most modern equipment regularly.

“We’ve been adding equipment every few years,” HHS strength and conditioning coach Paul Reinke said. “Safety is our number one priority. And the kids work (hard). All our exercises which are over the head get spotters.”