Granbury summer workout numbers swell to 350

While the numbers will slack off some due to vacations, camps and other obligations, Granbury's strength and conditioning camp numbers nudged 350 athletes participating in week one on June 13.

"I'm very pleased to see this kind of numbers, and it speaks well of our kids' determination and their focus on getting better," head football coach Chad Zschiesche said.

While strength and conditioning have a goal of making an athlete better, that's not the only focus, and with COVID restrictions easing up, there have been changes in the camp's organization this year. Rather than two groups, there are now three working out each day.

"The biggest reason is the coach-to-player ratio. With our numbers growing every summer, we felt it was more important to run through stations where we can have a lower coach-to-player ratio," Zschiesche said. "This allows us to monitor the kids even closer and coach up some of the fine details, especially with this group (older kids), and then as you transition to the younger group, it allows us to teach form and make sure the kids are being taught properly and doing things correctly.”

Granbury made the switch from having a professional company coming in and coaching strength and conditioning, but the numbers weren’t that great, and the cost seemed to be a hindering factor. There was also a desire to ensure players and coaches were developing chemistry away from their selected sports.

"We wanted the kids to come regardless of the cost. There are benefits to doing it both ways, but we felt like it was more beneficial for our kids in our program to run our own, and because of that, our numbers have grown every year," Zschiesche said.

Coaches also look for players who step into leadership roles and lead by example.

"I wouldn't just put it on the seniors. If a kid sees themself as a leader, here's a chance to prove it. Let your actions speak louder than your words, and it shows every summer, and I want to say I've been very impressed and very pleased with the number of females we have here. This is not a football camp. This is a strength and conditioning camp for all to get better," Zschiesche said.

Female athletes showing up in numbers isn't lost on coach Leah Haley either.

"They've been working hard. Our girls' attendance numbers have been bigger than the freshman boys' numbers every single time," Haley said. "They are fun to coach because anything you ask them to do, they go and do it 10 times harder. They've been awesome," Haley said.

Haley's also looking to see the leadership qualities in the female athletes coming out.

"We expect them to be here. We want the girls to be present not just physically but vocally present as well," Haley said. "Our seniors need to lead by example. They should be the ones working the hardest," Haley said.

Haley and coach Greg Belleau assist retired U.S. Marine Corps First Sergeant Johnny Rositas, the JROTC instructor at GHS. 

Belleau is a numbers guy who carries around charts, graphs and percentages involved with Granbury's weightlifting workouts. Belleau likes the easing of restrictions because it allows more focus on individuals and their progress.

"If you keep the numbers manageable, you can do more things. I wanted to stay longer in the weight room and be able to do stuff like this," Belleau said. "The differences between incoming freshmen and these guys are night and day, right, so now it's a little easier."

Keeping track of the numbers might be easier, but the workouts the athletes go through each day are designed to be more challenging and push a little more.

The response seen by Rositas seems to get better each day.

"It's hotter out here than it has been in past years. The kids are embracing it and working hard," Rositas said. "They're working hard in the turf and weight rooms. I think that's (three sessions) helped us out a lot as coaches, and we're getting some good one-on-one time with the athletes and getting some great coaching points."

Russell@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066 ext. 231

While the numbers will slack off some due to vacations, camps and other obligations, Granbury's strength and conditioning camp numbers nudged 350 athletes participating in week one on June 13.

"I'm very pleased to see this kind of numbers, and it speaks well of our kids' determination and their focus on getting better," head football coach Chad Zschiesche said.

While strength and conditioning have a goal of making an athlete better, that's not the only focus, and with COVID restrictions easing up, there have been changes in the camp's organization this year. Rather than two groups, there are now three working out each day.

"The biggest reason is the coach-to-player ratio. With our numbers growing every summer, we felt it was more important to run through stations where we can have a lower coach-to-player ratio," Zschiesche said. "This allows us to monitor the kids even closer and coach up some of the fine details, especially with this group (older kids), and then as you transition to the younger group, it allows us to teach form and make sure the kids are being taught properly and doing things correctly.”

Granbury made the switch from having a professional company coming in and coaching strength and conditioning, but the numbers weren’t that great, and the cost seemed to be a hindering factor. There was also a desire to ensure players and coaches were developing chemistry away from their selected sports.

"We wanted the kids to come regardless of the cost. There are benefits to doing it both ways, but we felt like it was more beneficial for our kids in our program to run our own, and because of that, our numbers have grown every year," Zschiesche said.

Coaches also look for players who step into leadership roles and lead by example.

"I wouldn't just put it on the seniors. If a kid sees themself as a leader, here's a chance to prove it. Let your actions speak louder than your words, and it shows every summer, and I want to say I've been very impressed and very pleased with the number of females we have here. This is not a football camp. This is a strength and conditioning camp for all to get better," Zschiesche said.

Female athletes showing up in numbers isn't lost on coach Leah Haley either.

"They've been working hard. Our girls' attendance numbers have been bigger than the freshman boys' numbers every single time," Haley said. "They are fun to coach because anything you ask them to do, they go and do it 10 times harder. They've been awesome," Haley said.

Haley's also looking to see the leadership qualities in the female athletes coming out.

"We expect them to be here. We want the girls to be present not just physically but vocally present as well," Haley said. "Our seniors need to lead by example. They should be the ones working the hardest," Haley said.

Haley and coach Greg Belleau assist retired U.S. Marine Corps First Sergeant Johnny Rositas, the JROTC instructor at GHS. 

Belleau is a numbers guy who carries around charts, graphs and percentages involved with Granbury's weightlifting workouts. Belleau likes the easing of restrictions because it allows more focus on individuals and their progress.

"If you keep the numbers manageable, you can do more things. I wanted to stay longer in the weight room and be able to do stuff like this," Belleau said. "The differences between incoming freshmen and these guys are night and day, right, so now it's a little easier."

Keeping track of the numbers might be easier, but the workouts the athletes go through each day are designed to be more challenging and push a little more.

The response seen by Rositas seems to get better each day.

"It's hotter out here than it has been in past years. The kids are embracing it and working hard," Rositas said. "They're working hard in the turf and weight rooms. I think that's (three sessions) helped us out a lot as coaches, and we're getting some good one-on-one time with the athletes and getting some great coaching points."

Russell@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066 ext. 231