Despite school ending at 2:35 pm, the weight room stays open until 4:00 pm for 7th to 12th graders from Monday through Thursday.
Coaches send their athletes to take advantage of the fitness room and swimming pool, which were renovated in 2014. The benefits of the weight room don’t end with students and athletes, however. There are classes for community members ranging from High-Intensity Interval Training (HITT) to Water Aerobics.
Crossroads social studies teacher and varsity baseball coach Jason Denton runs the after-school fitness workouts. He appreciates the opportunity to watch not only his baseball athletes improve themselves through conditioning, but also athletes from other sports that join the program.
“I listen and hear about their little [personal records] that they do, and I certainly see it in my specific athletes with baseball players,” Denton said. “I feel a lot of it is confidence and being in there and having kids start to see and feel the benefit of it. It’s cool to see.”
Sophomore Nolan Jacobson-Dicks goes to the weight room after school each day in order to better his physical health. He also is one of Denton’s baseball players. He has created new bonds as he works out with his teammates.
“I’m glad we have this [program] because it’s helping me with my sport and becoming a better baseball player,” said Jacobson-Dicks.
Junior Katherine Cook was not always the fitness guru she is now renowned for being. She only started her intense fitness journey two years ago.
“I started working out after school in February [of] 2020, and Mr. Denton was the one running the whole thing, and I originally just wanted to get stronger,” Cook said. “I started working every day, not doing great that much, but as I kept going [I got better].”
Denton has observed the student-athlete grow throughout her fitness journey.
“I really appreciate what he does. [Denton has] known me since I was a freshman,” Cook said. “He’s seen me in the gym when I was so new to everything. It’s nice knowing that there is someone else that’s seen you for how much you’ve grown.”
Denton appreciates the opportunity the weight room gives to students. When Denton was younger, he personally never got the chance to better himself.
“I certainly wished that weightlifting was more of an organized system when I was in school. It was more or less for football players, and I see it’s beneficial for anybody,” Denton said. “Certainly the weight room we have is incredible compared to many and [especially] what I grew up with.”
