Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Athletes adjusting workouts
Sydney Price, a second baseman on the Rogers Heritage softball team, throws a tennis ball against her garage wall for fielding practice.
Fayetteville setter Kennedy Phelan works with her younger brother, Lucas, who shares not only his sister’s love for volleyball but also plays the same position.
Those are just a couple of examples of how area high school athletes are trying to stay in shape with schools and prep sports shut down because of the covid-19 pandemic. Many prep athletes have been forced to improvise their workouts and equipment since athletic facilities are closed.
Price, a junior, was anxious to prove a good start was no fluke. But with one scholarship offer in hand, she will continue to work and look forward to the possibility of playing with a summer team and impressing other college coaches.
“It’s really disappointing because I thought we had a lot to prove,” Price said. “We were off to a really good start and it’s frustrating that got taken away.”
Phelan, a freshman, had already played in multiple tournaments with Ozark Juniors, a Northwest Arkansas-based club volleyball team, but she’s been mostly home-bound for more than three weeks as almost all activities have ceased across the state.
She’s now fallen into a routine of online schoolwork in the morning. Phelan, who helped lead Fayetteville to the Class 6A state semifinals, then mixes different workouts, including cardio, weights and a medicine ball at times in the afternoon.
Who knew a game called Crossnet, a four-square volleyball game that her
grandparents gave the family as a gift last Christmas, would also come in handy?
Phelan’s mother, Jessica, who is also her coach at Fayetteville, said the family broke out the game the first day school was shut down and set it up in the backyard. It’s become a regular family activity the past three-plus weeks.
She also organized a Fayetteville team workout by video conferencing earlier this week.
“I was a little nervous to see how it would go,” Jessica Phelan said. “New technology, new format and new situation for us all. It was a fun way to connect and for them to do something together, apart. We have each rising senior leading a workout during April.”
The younger Phelan, named The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Newcomer of the Year for volleyball in the fall, has been focusing on some specifics during this time at home. But she wants to make sure not to fall behind others either.
“It’s just kind of a bummer,” Phelan said. “We were planning a trip to Gulf Shores, and I can’t remember the last time we’ve been off for this long. It’s always go-go-go.
“I kind of see this as time some players will use to get better. They’ll get more skilled and in better shape. I want to keep up with them, keep up with the best.”
It’s a similar situation for area baseball players. They are playing catch with family members, hitting off a tee if they have one in their backyard or maybe running sprints around the block.
Bentonville senior Sam Golden, who signed to play baseball at Central Missouri, said it’s been difficult.
“Not being at school, not being able to practice, it tests you for sure,” Golden said. “My senior year is something I looked forward to.. I’m struggling with it. I know so many others are, too. My role a senior leader is to help others and that’s the way I’m dealing with it.”
J.T. Baker, who owns Perfect Timing, a baseball training center, is still trying to help some area baseball players with some more specialized training. Players are still coming to his facility but he’s taking the precautions of small groups and social distancing which includes some work outdoors, Baker said.
“Our first priority is safety and we’re following the CDC guidelines, limiting our groups to less than 10,” Baker said.
Bentonville West baseball Coach Chip Durham points out the importance of keeping skills sharp. The longer the layoff, the more difficult that becomes, Durham said. But the onus is really on the player in this unique situation.
“Baseball’s about timing,” said Durham, who also coached at the collegiate level. “The pitcher is trying to disrupt that timing. It’s a slowpaced game that happens in fast spurts. It’s really a matter of what kids can do on their own right now. We send the workouts but where are they going to work out? Maybe they have some weights at home.
Spring high school sports haven’t officially been canceled by the Arkansas Activities Association, but it appears to be only a formality since Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has mandated schools for the remainder of the term to online only.
Some like Golden and Price will now focus on the possibility of playing summer ball, but even that is in jeopardy. This week, American Legion baseball announced regional and World Series tournaments would be canceled.
Baker, whose facility has numerous travel and showcase teams, is trying to make sure his players are ready for if it happens.
“You have to train for the long haul because you don’t know how long of a break it’s going to be,” Baker said.