LRS summer weight training program up and running

Over 25 student-athletes were packed in the Gilson Gymnasium weight room Monday morning taking part in the third week of the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos athletic summer weight training program.

Students in grades 6-12 spent the morning building strength and speed under the watchful eye of trainer Tommy Boyer-Kendrick.

As athletes paired off and went through their exercises, Boyer-Kendrick walked the crowded room barking words of encouragement and instructions to the students.

At one point, he noticed several students waiting to bench press.

"Not to be rude, but the bench press is the least important thing you'll do here today," Boyer-Kendrick yelled aloud.

LRS Athletic Director Gregg Whitmore told The Journal in June that he decided to start the program because he wanted to see his athletes get stronger.

Boyer-Kendrick is part of PTA Performance in Spokane. He comes to Ritzville on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the six-week program. He says he thinks the new program is off to a good start.

"We haven't been here before," Boyer-Kendrick said. "Coming out here is a great start because it's great being able to get this far from Spokane and help some of those kids who may not get that help normally."

Boyer-Kendrick said the LRS students have been great to work with.

"This a very hungry group of kids," Boyer-Kendrick said. "They are all enthusiastic, they are all pushing each other. I've been to a lot of schools all over the country doing this, you don't always have that. If you have that, as a coach in any sport doing anything physical, success is almost inevitable. If those young people will put in effort and you just guide them ... their work will create great results."

Boyer-Kendrick said it's not unusual to find hard working students in rural areas.

"Rural kids are hard working kids," Boyer-Kendrick said. "Farm kids, ranch kids, kids who are used to doing chores, maybe more so than city kids. Sometimes, they almost have a better 'get up early and work' ethic ... when you come out here, you get kids who are hungry."

One concern Whitmore had before the program started was attendance. Because registration was accepted up to the day the program started, he was unsure how many athletes were going to participate. He said in an email to The Journal this week that the number ended up being 34 students.

Boyer-Kendrick said that is a very successful number.

"It's great," Boyer-Kendrick said. "That's what we were hoping for, 25 to 30. People ask, 'Why not more?' I'll be honest with you, there are 4A schools in Spokane not getting more than that showing up to their summer workout. This is a great number for the size of the school"

He says the number is promising for the future.

"This is the first year," Boyer-Kendrick said. "So what happens if kids really love it and coaches really love it? Next year there might be a lot more. Because kids will say, 'You went? Was it fun? Did you get better? I'll go too.'"

Two athletes taking part in the program are siblings Lacey and Spencer Miller.

Spencer is a senior football and baseball player.

"I believe it's a good experience," Spencer said. "It's all about movement, flexibility and agility and not only strength. Though we do lift weights so that's part of it too."

Spencer said Boyer-Kendrick brings a lot of professionalism and knowledge to the program.

"He knows what he's talking about," Spencer said. "He's pretty high profile. He's been part of Shaq [O'Neil]'s training crew. He's had people go to the Olympics so he's definitely the real deal and it's nice to have someone with that expertise."

Lacey Miller is a recently graduated softball, volleyball and basketball player. She is participating in the program to stay strong over the summer before she becomes a collegiate athlete this fall, when she will play softball for Knox College in Illinois.

"I have to get ready to play at the next level and this will help me do that," Lacey said. "[Boyer-Kendrick] does a good job of instructing us, but letting us do it on our own. He has kids in the program from age 12 to 18 and he's connecting with all of them."

Lacey says she is excited to play at the next level.

"It's been my dream for a really long time," Lacey said. "It's something I knew I could do and wanted to do, but to have it actually come true is amazing."