Bob Jones Wrestlers Take To Home Workouts To Prepare For Next Season
“I’m focusing on the dead lift, squats and bench press as I have a rack of weights in my basement, I work out 90 minutes a day and I’ve gained 30 pounds of muscle,” said Jamie Clark, current Bob Jones sophomore who posted a 37-19 record last season for the Pats.
“Yes, Jamie has set the tone for the off-season workout program as he wrestled in the 152-pound division last year and is already up to 182 pounds and getting stronger,” said Matthew Sweatman head coach of Bob Jones.
The current Bob Jones program has 40 student-athletes and Sweatman issued two options on workouts, which were for those using free weights and those able to sustain a home-gym type equipment. The ___-year head coach also included written instructions on wrestling oriented workouts. “Those are the things we’ve done in our wrestling practices and workouts,” added Sweatman.
Up and coming senior Drew Lawson, whose recent junior season was cut short due to a knee injury and subsequent surgery in early January, posted a 26-6 season and has a different type of off-season workouts in two ways- he’s undergoing physical therapy twice a week for the knee surgery and has continued his assigned workouts for the football program being one of the mainstays on the Patriots offensive line in preparation for the 2020 Bob Jones football team.
The 6-foot-2, 290-pound Lawson is following the workout instructions for the football team as put forth by new head coach Kelvis White. The senior team captain for the wrestling team is in double-up mode with the wrestling workouts.
“I do extra for wrestling and due to my knee I’m concentrating on the upper body,” said Lawson. “I have a gym in the garage and I get help from both my father, Jeremy, and my 13-year old brother, R.T. As for staying home during the pandemic, it’s not so bad as I do my school work all day and I host my workouts and those keep me busy.”
Sweatman has 11 starters returning for next season and they are using on-line wrestling videos as skills endeavors and the weight workouts to assist in remaining in shape. Some of the athletes have excelled in their ownership of their responsibilities of hosting their own workouts instead of a group type gathering.
Next year junior Manny Merrero, who was fourth in the state last season at 138-pound division and with his 58 wins put him second in the team single season history, will move up to the 152 division next season. Peyton King was at 106 is now up to 138 and up and coming senior Thomas Riley will wrestle in either the 195 or 220 division in the team’s next scheduled season.
“All of our projected varsity members have sent videos of their workouts in each week to sort of hold each other accountable,” said Sweatman. “I believe the leadership on this year’s team can carry us back to the top of Class 7A.”
Clark also spends part of his day playing the cello as he’s member of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra and is an award winning player across the Southeast. He hopes to play the musical instrument in college with ideas of possibly to continue professionally. He practices for at least an hour a day.
The team has adopted a motto for next season- “Whatever It Takes.” Sweatman believes his squad has what it takes. He added, “These guys are trying to take this to the next level and are doing a great job. Even when things are down, you can rely on them and that is the mark of a good team and good character.”
Lawson said he was enjoying the change of working out at home as he feels the wrestling is team is committed. “From what I’ve seen, both the wrestling and football teams are working hard and committed,” added Lawson.
