Volume 94, Issue 3 - My High School Journalism

Sports 15 Little Dodger, Fort Dodge Senior High Nov. 5, 2010
Balancing
weight loss
By Lynne Nissen
Sports Editor
Eat. Work out. Sauna. Sweat. Work out.
Sweat. Sleep.
This is a normal schedule for a wrestler
worried about making weight. With football
ending near wrestling season players and
coaches are worried about weight loss. For
senior Levi Peters weight loss is the least of
his worries.
Peters plans to wrestle at his current weight
and possibly drop a few pounds. Football was
always his first priority and now he is on to
bigger things to highlight his senior year.
“I wanted to save all of my energy for football.
When I have cut weight in the past it
drained all of my energy,” said Peters.
On the other hand for classmate David Rogers,
cutting weight is his first priority. Rogers
normal weight fluctuates between 183 and
180 and he is trying to drop down to 160.
To make this possible for Rogers he has to
follow a strict schedule. He has to eat very
minimal and consume very little fluids. He
plans to only eat once a day and by doing
that can effect his growth and metabolism.
The wrestler’s main focus is passing the
BMI (body muscle index) and the dehydration
tests.
“A week before the BMI I eat the minimum
and drink very little amounts of fluids. I will
go to the Rec Center put some plastics on
See WEIGHT Page 16
5 Questions
With Scott Timmerman
1. What is your outlook for the season?
-I want to tell the girls the only major goals
for the sea- son are to
win cham- pionships.
Our main focus is
state and c o n f e r -
ence. Their goals have
to be as high as
t h e y ’ r e willing to
set them. I want to
rely on ex- perienced,
t a l e n t e d and intelligent
se- niors and
also the h i g h l y
c o m p e t i - tive and
aggressive juniors.
2 . W h a t is your
opinion in the difference between being assistant
coach and head coach?
-I’m going to have to do a lot of organizational
stuff. As head coach I want to be able to
On deck:
Anderson hits the ground running
By Jacy Scharf
Photographer
Working hard is nothing new for Austin Anderson.
He has participated in football for
nearly seven years as a running back. He was
a key component to this years sophomore football
team with the ending record of 4-5 beating
Urbandale, Des Moines East, Des Moines North
and Mason City. He has set very high goals for
himself in hoping to play at a division 1 college
after he graduates.
Anderson is not only involved in football, but
participates in wrestling and track as well. He
knows what it takes to be a team player yet be
accountable for his own actions to contribute to
the team.
“Having to trust people and know that they
are going to their job is the hardest part about
being in a team sport,” said Anderson.
It is the complete opposite situation in the
other two sports he is in. In wrestling and track
he has to depend on himself to work hard and
come out on top. “It’s a lot more pressure on
your shoulders,” Anderson said about his individual
sports.
He has no one to back him up if mistakes are
made so it is completely understandable why
trust would be so difficult in a team sport.
Anderson also had great things to say about a
couple varsity role models.
“Jontel Clayton and Levi Peters really encourage
the underclassmen and are extremely positive,”
stated Anderson. “They are both really talented
athletes’.”
Matt Miller will be the next football coach to
coach Anderson and expects a lot to be done in
the off season. He highly suggests that Anderson
stay active in the off season and participate
put my own handprint on things. It’s my final
judgment on how I want them to play
3.What is your coaching background?
-Varsity and freshman boys basketball
coach with a combined of 13 years. When I
was varsity assistant we went to state and
won conference. I have been assistant freshman
boy’s football coach for seven years. I
have also coached numerous little kids and
middle school teams.
4.Superstitions about coaching?
-I really don’t have any now. When I played
high school I had to have two peanut butter
pieces of toast. It was my ‘get ready meal’.
I think the key is sticking to a routine and
working hard.
5.What changes would you like to make
within the program?
-I would like to see team development.The
girls need to focus on pushing the ball and
wearing the other team out.
www.littledodger.net
-Photo By Echo Selhaver
Austin Anderson punts the ball during a
sophomore game in Dodger Stadium this
season. Anderson plays running back and
punted for the Dodgers football team.
in other sports.
“He needs to be involved in other sports and
compete at different levels. If he’s not doing
that he needs to be working hard in the weight
room,” stated Coach Miller.
His best advice for Anderson to prepare for
varsity level football is to simply work hard. Anderson
hopes to play after high school, but he is
unsure of what college he would like to play for.