Home isn't where the weightroom is ... yet

Sunlake, which is fielding a varsity squad in the fall, keeps players in shape via local gyms.

By MIKE CAMUNAS
Published July 1, 2007

LUTZ - It's just another temporary stop for the fledging Sunlake football program.

Since the Seahawks are awaiting the completion of their facilities and gearing up for their first varsity season, coach Bill Browning has found a home away from home for his team.

Anytime Fitness, central Pasco's only 24-hour gym located at 1850 Oak Grove Blvd. just off State Road 54, has become the summer stopover for Sunlake, and Browning said it is perfect for his team's needs.

"Anytime gave us the best bang for the buck, " Browning said. "(Owner Rob White) gave us the best deal and has been very hospitable during the regular business hours."

Browning said he has 30-35 players working out at a time on Anytime's free weights, but other players also are working out individually at other gyms.

"We're making progress, " Browning said. "We don't have as big of group lifting together as we'd like, but everyone is working and we're making progress.

"The biggest drawback from being here, however, is that we can't have power clean lifts. But we're at such a novice stage right now that we're basically teaching proper techniques - the how to lift and how not to lift."

White, whose gym opened May 18 but is celebrating the grand opening throughout July, said he was glad to help out (Sunlake players are paying for use of the facilities) because high school sports hold a certain place in his heart.

"I was very fortune to have coaches that took me under their wing, took the time to teach me how to weight train, " White said. "That's how I fell in love with training over 30-plus years ago. ... I'm very big on youth sports in general because I'm already sponsoring a Little League baseball team and plan on sponsoring a soccer team."

Players are enjoying working out and learning more about their fellow teammates.

"We're a brand new team, and half of us come from one school and the other half another, " said sophomore Dylan McCarthy, who is transferring from Land O'Lakes. "Working in the facility - we've all really gotten along well, and I'm getting along better with this team than I was at Land O'Lakes."

Sophomore Robbie Ward agrees.

"Most of us are working out together, and we're getting to know each other, " Ward said. "Really, we talk about what our football team is going to be like and how we're going to beat Land O'Lakes - basically those kind of things, but it's been fun."

Browning is eager for the Seahawks' facilities to be completed, but feels "even with the building not being there we really don't look at it as a problem, we look at it as an opportunity (to do what we need to do)."

For now, Browning is just happy moving his players along.

"It's really worked out better than I thought it would. We're really making progress."

Fast Facts:

What they're saying

What are you most looking forward to from your own facilities?

"Being able to work out at our facilities is going to be so much easier. I live about 2 miles down the street from Sunlake and I have to come all the way out here to work out and then a coach has to supervise us (at Anytime), but when we're at Sunlake, well, Coach is just sitting there. But we'll be at school and that's important."

- sophomore Dylan McCarthy

"It'll be better when we have our own (weight)room because we can't get (into Anytime Fitness) til they open all the buildings. Once we get there, we'll feel more at home, especially when you use bars that are molded to our shoulders."

- sophomore Robbie Ward

"Once we move over there, we can really get into the nuts and bolts and chart (the players') progress and see how they're making it through the program. ...It'll be helpful to get my office, too. Right now, it's a couple of boxes and in and out of two different vehicles." (laughs)

- Seahawks coach Bill Browning

[Last modified June 30, 2007, 22:19:08]