Dozens of Hawklets have been waking up early over the past couple of weeks to improve their fitness, and, more specifically, their speed. The athletic department is hosting morning speed and agility training sessions. The sessions are taking place primarily before school on Wednesdays and Fridays (B-Days) in the Loyola Gym. Athletes of any sport can attend. More than 120 student-athletes have already participated in least one of the workouts so far.

Athletic director Michael Dierks is one of the coaches leading these workouts. Dierks, who also serves as the varsity cross country coach, believes the sessions are a great resource for student-athletes.

“The adage that you can’t teach speed I don’t buy,” Dierks said. “While it might be difficult to turn a person who is dominantly an endurance athlete into a world class sprinter, you can make improvements. The body can learn.”

According to Dierks, the workouts consist of a warm up followed by three to four stations where athletes work on acceleration, hip flexibility, plyometrics, and agility. Dierks says these stations aim to improve athleticism, prevent injury and make the sprint cycle more efficient. After the stations, the group finishes up with some type of sprint competition.

Since none of the exercises are sport-specific, Dierks encourages all athletes to consider attending the workouts.

“A lineman has a certain explosiveness or speed or agility different from what a soccer player has, or from what a track athlete or even a tennis player has, but they can all improve. What we are starting with are fundamental principles.”

These sessions are being led by coaches from several different sports. Kelly Donohoe, the Hawklets’ head football coach, is one of the instructors. Donohoe thinks that the sessions are a great opportunity for student-athletes to enhance their athleticism.

“We want to see all of our athletes become faster and quicker,” Donohoe said. “It will bring them confidence when they get back to competing in their sport.” 

Donohoe also looks at the sessions as an opportunity for student-athletes to develop a sense of camaraderie among each other.

“It is a great chance for all of the guys to bond and really develop some good friendships,” he said. 

Aidan Ryan, a junior starter on the varsity football team, has attended several of the workouts. Ryan views them as an opportunity for him to become a better athlete. 

“As a kid, I was never told the proper way to run,” Ryan said. “Incorporating what I learned with my running has already made a big difference for me, and it’ll continue to pay dividends as I get better at it.”

The athletic department plans to continue to offer the workouts until the start of spring sports.