When summer break starts for most students, they get the glory of sleeping in and having no responsibilities. However, student athletes begin preparing for next season with the start of summer workouts.

These athletes spend their days in the weight room, on the field, or on the court. Each day looks different for every athlete. For junior basketball player Corryn Estelle, an average day looks something like this. 

“We start at 9 AM with skills in the gym,” Estelle said. “With lifting at 10 AM to follow.”

While each athlete’s schedule varies depending on their sport, the commitment remains the same. For junior volleyball player Reagan Schnabel, summer workouts shape her team for their season.

“They lead up to the season and it helps build team chemistry,”  Schnabel said. “It just helps us feel more comfortable with each other.” 

Summer workouts are all about building a stronger team. Both physically and through team chemistry. 

“These workouts are beneficial for our team because it is a way for our team to grow and develop together,” Estelle said. “It lets us push each other to get better.”

Summer workouts, however, are always a bit different compared to in season workouts. For Schnabel, those differences are noticeable right away.

“They are more fun and a little less structured in the summer,” Schnabel said. “In season it is definitely more productive.”