13.1

SPORTS

The Norwich Guidon
April 29, 2004

Wrestling team members adjust to new spring workout program

By Daryl Buttrick
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

During an athletic season, there is no time for goofing off or letting up in workouts. Wrestling is no exception. Norwich wrestlers look forward to the end of the season, not because the season is over, but for a break from working so hard.

This year's program was different and will continue to be different for many years to come. Since the season has been over, the wrestlers have been going through an intense strengthtraining program with the new strength and conditioning coach, Justin Goulet.

“The workout is very intense, because it requires you to go from one workout to the next, and the reps are very high, and every workout is to failure, so they are very hard,” said junior captain Dan Whelan, 20, a criminal justice major from York, Maine.

“I’ve lifted in the past a lot, but I’ve never really stuck with a routine much during the off season,” said Shaun Vacher, 20, criminal justice major, from North Attleboro, Mass.

This is Goulet’s first year here at Norwich and the first time he has worked with wrestlers.

“Before I came here, I worked a little with wrestlers, but I’m really a football guy; football is what I know ... but this is my first chance [to work] with wrestlers, and it's been remarkable,” said Goulet.

Wrestling is a different type of sport, a sport where growing is not always good; this makes it different from other types of workouts.

“Wrestling is a unique sport in the fact that weight is very important to a wrestler. It's unique, because I don’t want them to gain much weight. I want them to have better muscular endurance and be stronger,” Goulet said.

These workouts are highly required for every wrestler this spring.

“Because the program is mandatory, it lets the team and coaches know that everyone is working hard and not just sitting around, relying on the regular season conditioning to get us in shape,” Whelan said.

Some of the wrestlers think this program is very tough, but like the results they are seeing.

“Most of the workouts are to failure, so it takes us to the max. I can notice how much weight I’ve been going up; I can see the results,” Vacher said.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.