Marysville’s Jeremiah McNeil picks up yardage during a 2020 game against Dublin Jerome. The Monarchs hope to resume their off-season weight training next week. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
Athletes weren’t scheduled to get back in facility until early this month
Marysville High School athletes have been on a coronavirus-related pause for the past couple of weeks.
MHS is scheduled to return to business as usual on Monday, Dec. 7.
The Monarch boys and girls basketball teams have not been able to practice and have missed some early-season games.
Marysville athletes have also not been allowed to use the weight room and won’t be able to do so until next week.
The shutdown hasn’t, however, impacted the Monarch football program.
“We gave the guys some time off after the season anyway,” said head coach Brent Johnson. “We weren’t planning to begin again until early December.”
Johnson said he won’t begin to worry unless the Dec. 7 date passes and the Monarchs have to remain in a pause.
“If we get back on Dec. 7, we’ll start a nine-week cycle of lifting,” he said. “It’s going to be a series of low weights with high reps.
“That way, we can get the guys re-acclimated to lifting.”
Johnson said he knows a number of MHS gridders have been working out on their own in light of the fact the weight room has been closed.
“That’s what happened during the summer shutdown,” said Johnson. “The guys took the responsibility to work out the best they could.”
The Monarch head coach said he feels the off-season dedication in the face of the pandemic helped spark the team to the Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division championship.
“The guys did a great job of working out over the summer while we were shut down,” said Johnson. “They came back very strong for the preseason.”
The coach said his players have a great sense of motivation for keeping in condition.
“These guys know that if they slack off their training, they’re going to be left in the dust,” said Johnson. “Our players keep on each other for accountability.
“That makes the coaches’ jobs easier when the players are keeping an eye on each other and not allowing anyone to fall behind.”
Johnson said if the weight room is permitted to open next week, COVID-19 safety protocols will be enforced.
“We’ll do a lot of sanitizing at each weight station and social distance as best as we can,” he said.
Johnson anticipates having 60-65 varsity football players in the weight room at interval times once the shutdown is lifted.
“That’s up 10-to-15 athletes,” said Johnson. “That’s very encouraging and it’s a tribute to what we’ve been building the past few years.”