Varsity football coach Robert Scott holds off-season training after school for athletes who seek to improve their performance during their sports seasons. Scott aims to help athletes hit new records and reach new heights in the weight room, and in their sport. One athlete in particular, though, has achieved something even greater.

Sophomore Thomas Anderson, who attends the after school off-season training, had pushed himself past his limits and broke one of the weight lifting records for the school on Feb. 5. Anderson now holds the record power clean of 270 pounds. 

“Being competitive is why I broke the record. I’m always competing with my friends to be the best I can,” said Anderson. 

Anderson plays two high school sports for the Spartans, one being football which ends late fall. The other is starting up in the spring: lacrosse. Having a few months of a break in between to prepare for the upcoming season, Anderson makes the decision to spend his free time committing to the offseason program.

During the time lifting and putting in work, Anderson not only is dedicated to getting better just himself. But also works alongside his fellow teammates and friends. 

“Lifting with Thomas helps both of us in the weight room. We both use each other to try and constantly get better, and it’s kind of like a competition; you’re always trying to lift more weight than your friends. And that pushes you,” said Caiden Izzard, who lifts each week with Anderson. 

Izzard and Anderson play together during the football season in the fall, working together on the field during the season and then transitioning back to the weight room in the off-season. 

“My friends and I competing to be better than each other really makes a difference. There is a saying in the football program that ‘iron sharpens iron,’ and I think that is true because I wouldn’t be as good as I am without competition,” said Anderson. 

Thomas also plays alongside Luke Lundgren during his football season and they work together in the off season lifting program. 

“If you’re a varsity athlete and you don’t lift, you will fall behind and struggle. It’s important [to lift] to help you excel in your sport,” said Lundgren. 

Anderson expresses that lifting during the off season helps him ready himself for the spring season, and he creates personal goals for each season to help push himself. 

 “I want to be a captain in the future, but it’s really not the most important thing to me. You don’t need a title to have people listen to you”, Said Anderson. 

Scott speaks highly of Anderson, noticing the hard work he puts into the off season truly come out on the field. 

“He’s always been highly motivated and loves to compete, to do everything he can to win in whatever game or sport he’s playing,” said Scott.