MoiraHarr

Current athletes are familiar with the weight room filled to the brim with heavy weights, barbells, hexbars, kettlebells and pretty much anything you could need. However, the weight room used to only hold limited resources that focused on lighter weights and resistance band training.

In many ways, this reflected a tale as old as time: underestimating women.

Marian students have grown up seeing female athletes advocate for equality in sports and the resources that they need to be successful. Marian has since provided these resources, including better equipment and inspired coaching, encouraging athletes to reach their full potential. 

Not only has the equipment improved, but the programming has become more effective, especially due to the efforts of Wrestling and Strength/Conditioning coach Lauren Barefoot.

Senior Joelle McKamy, a current wrestler and former cross country athlete, has witnessed the changes from her freshman year to now in how training sessions are carried out. 

In the past, there was little flexibility and athletes were expected to attend their scheduled weight room session. While in session, athletes were divided into stations and given a time limit to complete their assigned sets. 

Barefoot knew that Marian athletes were successful, as shown by the four state champion titles earned last year; however, due to low attendance she was forced to ask the question “how do you progress an athlete that won’t walk through the door?”

Steadily, changes to this system have been made, starting with the implementation of a software called “Rock Daisy,” which personalizes each workout not only to the sport group, but also to the individual. Rock Daisy has replaced the station system, allowing more freedom with timing of the workout and a more effective workout plan. 

Additionally, though students are encouraged to go to their scheduled sport session, students can now complete their workout either before school, during a study hall, after school or even during a zero hour class before school, allowing adjustments for personal schedules. 

Athletes are also now encouraged to attend at least two weight room sessions per week. Attending weight room sessions can help athletes believe the importance of implementing strength and conditioning into their training. 

McKamy said that the weight room is “more busy” compared to her first two years in a way that has made a positive impact.

 “I’ve definitely made more friends through the weight room in different grades now that people are required to do it. It’s also just more fun. Freshman and sophomore year you were assigned to a station and people weren’t talking with each other. They were just trying to get their workout done. Now that we’re all at our own pace, we can do our own workouts, get our stuff done, but also do it with our friends,” McKamy said. 

One of the most valuable aspects of weight training goes beyond the strength and improvement in athletic performance. By learning how to lift weights, confidence is constructed.

Barefoot shares the statistic that “young women drop out of sports at six times the rate that their male counterparts do because women are not provided with the same platforms, opportunities and encouragement to grow.”

This dropout rate is especially alarming when considering that about 90% of women in CEO or other leadership positions contribute some of their leadership skills to sports. Fewer women in sports can lead to not as many women learning the confidence and leadership skills needed to be in higher positions. 

For McKamy, being trained in the weight room has proved to herself that she is capable and “given [her] that confidence in [herself].”

These leadership skills, confidence and values of community and empowerment go beyond sports and translate into virtually all aspects of life to help create true strength in each and every Marian girl.