It’s hardly a regulation goal in the backyard but options for Camp Hill soccer star Julia Raich are scarce.
Across the Susquehanna River, a Central Dauphin offensive lineman is squatting 50-pound bags of dog food in his basement. You may have seen the video on social media.
It’s unclear how Blaise Heshler’s dog feels about the new training regimen, but the Rams’ standout does have a fast-approaching senior season to prepare for.
And, the routine is just not possible these days.
As central Pa. athletes cope with staying safe and healthy during the coronavirus crisis, some are finding interesting ways to stay engaged with sports, at every level, shut down until further notice.
“I was working out at Siebert Park, but now it’s closed. I have a small goal in my backyard,” said Raich, who guided Camp Hill to a perfect 25-0 mark and the program’s first Class 1A girls’ soccer title in November.
The recent Penn State commit and PennLive’s reigning player of the year was supposed to be prepping for her first international competition in Paris next month before US Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Camp was canceled due to the outbreak.
“I’ve been running but it’s so weird. It’s tough without soccer or any sports. I feel for seniors who might not get a chance to finish their careers.”
One day before Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf closed all schools and activities until March 30, the PIAA suspended its basketball championships and the Class 2A swimming championship meet.
Camp Hill junior Julia Raich, a Penn State who led the undefeated Lions to the Class 1A title in November, is putting a lot more shots on her backyard goal these days. It's now part of Raich's daily practice routine with Pa. schools shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Submitted photo)
The spring sports season, scheduled to open last Friday for all sports, also remains on hold. Many are wondering if the beginning of several fall sports like football, field hockey, soccer, tennis, and more will be affected.
Athletes, however, are piecing together workouts at home, with instructions or assignments funneling in from coaches or trainers. Raich follows daily workouts with Beast Mode Soccer.
Central Dauphin football coach Glen McNamee is giving Heshler and the Rams a competition, with a twist.
“We do ton of community service in our program. Since 2006, when we started our Community Connections Program, we have done over 14,000 hours and almost 600 events,” McNamee said.
“Due to the coronavirus, it has come to a screeching halt. In the next couple of days, however, I will be sending out at message asking them to be creative and think of ways to help others in a safe manner, and then send me the idea or video.”
Central Dauphin head coach Glen McNamee, who led the Rams to the Class 6A title game in December, is sending daily messages and challenges to his players while they're away from school. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com
McNamee said his daily messages also remind players to stay engaged with schoolwork, watch film and help around the house.
Another workout challenge is pitting each position group against the others. Workouts must be documented with video and sent in. The winning group eventually gets pizza.
Football coaches Todd Ryan at Trinity and Rob Klock at Lower Dauphin are taking similar steps with their players.
Ryan’s “challenges” are released through Twitter, with questions pertaining to helping family, staying on top of education and staying active and training.
One of Klock’s recommendations to his players is to follow Lewis Caralla, Georgia Tech’s head strength and conditioning coach, on Twitter.
East Pennsboro baseball coach Tyler Comp said his senior-heavy roster handles adversity well, but the possibility of not having a spring sports season weighs heavily on the players, who continue to train, and the coaching staff. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive
Caralla has produced several videos on how stay motivated and find creative ways to use household items to keep training.
The Falcons’ roster is broken up by classes, with Boro wings on the line during daily challenges.
East Pennsboro baseball coach Tyler Comp said he was impressed with how his players were handling the situation.
The mental strain of potentially losing such a promising season, however, shifted the mood.
“At first, the thought of missing a few days of school seemed cool, but it only took a short time for them to realize what was at jeopardy,” Comp said.
“We have nine seniors who have been together since Little League days, and the thought of it ending like this weighed heavier on the coaches. I feel for the kids, but this group handles adversity well.”
District 3 Class 2A girls champion Paige Richter of Camp Hill does online workouts and practices on a golf simulator these days. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com
Comp added that every time he’s taken his young son to the field, nearly daily, he sees a couple of players working out together. “The kids keep focusing on the game they love,” he said.
Camp Hill’s Paige Richter, among the area’s top golfers, spent the past 10 days finding a golf course that remained open for play.
Despite playing out of Carlisle Country Club, which closed last Friday, Richter played at Carlisle Barracks early this week and Mayapple Thursday. All are now shut down.
“I’ve been taking this time to really focus on some new things. Before all the bad starting kicking in, my normal routine was walking 27 holes and practicing,” said Richter, PennLive’s girls golfer of the year.
“I usually go to Power Train but do online video sessions now. I’m trying to keep a routine, eat healthier.”
Richter is holding out hope that qualifying for several big events, the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship and Girls’ Junior PGA Championshp, will remain as scheduld in June and July.
Richter also is scheduled to compete in several Pa. Junior and American Junior Golf Association events from May through August.
“Right now, it’s about doing what I can,” Richter said. “I also work on an indoor simulator, something I usually do in the winter, to just get my swing down and get my numbers.”
Follow Eric Epler on Twitter -- @threejacker