Over the summer, athletes work to stay, and get, in shape for the fall sport season. Whether it’s field hockey or football, athletes participate in summer workouts to help prepare them for a grueling season at AHS.

Through new regulations, coaches are now permitted to hold a set number of practices with any prospective athletes. These ‘green days’ are held in the hopes of teaching lost skills to returning players and recruiting new members to build the sports programs.

“The workouts can get really hard. Especially when it’s hot out, they’re really tough,” said rising sophomore Minh Quan Do.

The workouts range from running to lifting to other workouts specific to each sport. This time can be used to focus more on the mental side of sports, such as learning plays, in addition to conditioning.

“I try to go to the gym as much as possible and also the volleyball workouts,” rising senior Jenny Ha said. “I like the workouts because they give me a chance to improve on my skills before tryouts and relearn anything I forgot during the off season.”

Many athletes take the time in the summer to go to camps, whether it is overnight or just during the day. AHS offers many programs including a field hockey and lacrosse camp during July.

Some prefer to workout on their own and stay in shape through out the summer by participating in a wide range of activities.

“I’m on swim team, but I also will run from my house, around the track at AHS and back home,” rising junior Kaitlin Martindale said.

Martindale also frequently trains for 8k and 5k runs and constantly pushes herself to reach the next level in being physically fit.

AHS students may see summer as a break from school, but many certainly do not see it as a break from sports and are determined to use the extra time they have to improve their overall health.