Athletes prepare for fall sports

Athletes are constantly training, preparing themselves for their next opportunity to conquer adversity.

The layover that summer provides creates a decision for athletes: they can choose to take a break from the intensity and pressure of competition or to begin off-season training harder than ever before.

Mid-summer’s passing serves as a milestone to remind student athletes at Lind-Ritzville High School of their commitments. Fall sports seasons are in sight, and with that comes the need for athletic paperwork and the continuation of strength conditioning programs.

Athletic paperwork will be filed differently at LRHS this year in order to make better use of technology.

Beginning early August, paperwork can be completed and submitted online. The process will take place on Skyward Family Access, a program designed to connect parents, students, and schools.

Ritzville’s District Secretary Lisa Cox explained, “Basically the decision to go strictly online was a decision to help make things more streamlined for families and continue to allow them to pay their sports fees online. This process will help the office to be more efficient in producing reports for coaches and keep each student’s paperwork more organized.”

Fees for athletes include $30 for an associated student body (ASB) card, and a $5 fee per each sport. Among various forms on the website is a pre-participation sport physical exam (usually referred to as a physical).

Physicals are valid for 13 months and require an appointment with a doctor or physician.

Cox said, “The online physical form can be printed out of Skyward Family Access. If someone needs their access password, they can call the high school. The high school will officially open August 17, however, if I am at the school I am happy to give anyone that information.”

Athletic paperwork is not the only step athletes should take towards beginning the fall sports season. Athletes will be less prone to injury and overall more successful if they enter the season in proper physical condition.

Sport injuries are especially common when athletes are ill-prepared.

Kathy Mair, a journalist for http://livestrong.com said, “A multitude of situations can result in a sports-related injury. Being aware of the risk factors goes a long way in preventing them. Strengthening your muscles, getting proper rest and working at the proper pace are essential to staying healthy.”

She cites new or increased activity as one of the top ten causes of sports related injuries: “Starting a new activity or increasing your level of activity too quickly can also result in plantar fasciitis or lower back pain.

“If you have begun a new exercise or sport, previously unused muscles may be employed or you may increase the work of other muscles. A cramp is a common result of this.”

The best way to prevent injury is preparation.

Marni Barton, a certified athletic trainer at Valley View Hospital in Colorado explains, “Some kids have been doing things like athletic camps all summer to stay fit and in shape, but then there are those who just aren’t. They’ve taken summer and had some fun.

“In return they are coming back to sports and not in shape. They need to focus and do everything they can for themselves to become acclimated to the level of competition they are entering.”

Filling out athletic paperwork and continuing off-season conditioning all summer long will allow athletes to be prepared for success this fall.