When it comes to sports, the athlete in better shape has the advantage. Bigger, better, faster, stronger athletes are what the athletic director, Mr. Czekaj, expects to come from the new weight room. When he first got the idea for the new room, he called the strength coach, Hutch Call, and other varsity coaches to determine what type of room they wanted and what type of space they needed.

The new room offers up-to-date equipment that is geared toward Olympic lifting. This means that a person using the machine can do more exercises than before. Another advantage, Mr. Czekaj said, is the room fits a lot more athletes than the old one.  Up to 12 people can work out at a time.

The new weight room has been a hit. “Kids using the room now are working hard and having a blast,” Mr. Czekaj said. He expects the new weight room will “affect them in a positive way.”

So far, many sport teams have used the new weight room to train and for preseason workouts. “I love the new weight room. It’s really had a good impact [on the players],” said varsity girls basketball Coach Midkiff. “It not only physically helps players but mentally…too.” 

Other kids who are not on sports teams at Norfolk Collegiate will get to use the weight room during the weightlifting unit in P.E. class. Mr. Czekaj said that in the future he hopes to see strength classes available to students as electives.

The new weight room, located in the old health room, is open after school to teams that are scheduled to train. The old weight room under the bleachers is now a cardio room and the office of the athletic trainer.