As the college football season loomed closer in the summer, Pierce College football players prepared through irregular off-season workouts at Shepard Stadium as well as off the gridiron.
Players across the roster geared up for the season with conditioning being a top priority to ensure their performance on the field was at the highest level, coming into their season-opening win with a renewed season outlook.
Sophomore wide receiver Matt Jones ran track-and-field and competed in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash in the spring to increase speed and be in the best of shape.
Concurrently, Jones did weight lifting with Matt Hank, Pierce’s strength and conditioning coach.
In the summer the team held a workout camp at Pierce, a much more difficult training session than last year, according to Jones.
However, the motivation for the Brahmas was commitment to being ready for the season.
“We plan on being better than last year,” said Jones at a recent team practice.
Sophomore linebacker Austin Whalen, also a participant of the summer workout, felt the camp helped the team in its preparation.
“We’ve been practicing [at Pierce] all summer so we’re familiar with it,” said Whalen.
With 49 freshmen on the roster and no experience in game action at the college level, players made it a point to come into the season having improved their conditioning.
Players such as freshman kicker Brian Gutierrez used additional methods other than football drills and training to come into the season at full strength.
“I used yoga, pilates and lots of Olympic squats in the offseason to train for my debut,” said Gutierrez.
In the season opener, Gutierrez made every kick he attempted.
As the players put in work on and off the field, head coach Efrain Martinez noticed the results his players’ commitment is producing on the field.
“I see an overall improvement all around,” said Martinez.
With the season in full swing, Pierce players continue their workouts on campus at Shepard Stadium.
Pierce has a bye week this upcoming week, with their next game at home on September 22 at 7 p.m. against Los Angeles Southwest.
Stay current on the team at www.theroundupnews.com.
