For several years strength and conditioning has been a way for student athletes to improve their game during the offseason, and this year the number of participants is greater than ever before.

Strength and conditioning coordinator, Jessica Gust said that the potential number of people in the program for this school year far outweighs last year’s.

“At the end of last year there were 313 kids in the class, and already by the start of this year there are 301 people signed up,” Gust said. “It’s pretty obvious that we are going to have way more people this year.”

Gust said because of the huge attendance rate, they have had to add classes before school in the fall.

“We have had 1,200 more daily attendance than the year before,” Gust said. “We had to add a morning class for the fall and we have added lots of new equipment.”

In early October, Gust confronted the School Board to address the issue that a larger weight room is necessary for the number of people interested in the after-school activity.

“I went to the School Board earlier this month and explained to them that with the large number of students this year there has to be a change,” Gust said.

However, Gust said the spread of false information has  created a bad reputation for the program and its benefits for certain sports.

“There is a lot of misinformation out there, like strength is only good for anaerobic sports like football, but depending on your sport you are going to do different routines than the other sports,” Gust said.

Gust added those who participate in strength will see improvements, but still need to work on their sports specific skills.

“It doesn’t matter what sport you play, all getting in the weight room is going to do is give you an advantage, but is not going to replace practicing your sport.”

Junior Conor Klaers is one of several student athletes who participates in strength.

Klaers said since joining the program he has received a lot of information and has seen improvements in his game that show on the ice.

“I can tell how much stronger, faster, and well rounded I’ve become as an athlete, which is an advantage in any sport,” Klaers said.

Klaers said aside from individual improvement that the program could also help all sports teams performances at Park.

“I think it would really improve not only individuals, but team performances at SLP,” Klaers said.

With the fall session coming to a close, Gust said a new session will begin in early November for athletes interested in joining the program.