It doesn’t seem that long ago that seniors in Killeen ISD’s Class of 2024 were walking the stage inside the Cadence Bank Center and current high school and middle school student-athletes were getting ready to shift into offseason summer mode.
Flash forward two months and, suddenly, strength and conditioning sessions are wrapping up this week, with eyes peeking ahead to the fall sports season.
June and July were jam-packed as hundreds of KISD athletes voluntarily made their way to high school athletic complexes, hit the weight room and sprinted until the sweat soaked their shirts, upping their efforts to be ready to go once the regular season arrived.
It was an ideal time to build strength but also fortify bonds between teammates and coaches, and KISD’s athletic coordinators and coaches said the summer served their programs quite well. Often rising with the sun before dealing with its relentless heat, KISD athletes made significant gains physically and mentally.
“It has been a good summer for us. We’ve had over 500, probably close to 600 kids, at least, and that’s a big deal,” Shoemaker athletic coordinator and football head coach Toby Foreman said. “Any time that you have that type of turnout it tells you the level of commitment and the buy-in from your athletes, both female and male. As well as the coaches because our coaches have represented throughout the summertime.”
The summer sessions weren’t just for football players. All sports were represented, which made for a galvanizing experience and produced results that have the potential to go a long way.
“We had a good mixture of sports, especially in our afternoon sessions,” Killeen High athletic coordinator and football head coach Josh Sadler said. “We’re seeing a lot of good growth, physically, with the freshmen who are going to be sophomores. Mentally, you see a lot of growth with your kids across all levels, especially with those juniors about to be seniors because the realization of ‘This is my final season,’ starts creeping in during the summer time. They start maturing and take on that leadership role.”
If not at the summer sessions, many athletes spent time participating in competitions with club teams or as individuals, and attending various camps, some of which were held at college campuses.
Ellison tennis coach Holly Ponce said some of her players used the summer to play in tournaments and work with pros to make sure they are fit for a sport that has two high school seasons –– fall and spring.
“I don’t think most people really understand the time we put in,” Ponce said.
Ellison senior volleyball player Brianna Bowman certainly understands the time and work necessary to thrive during the summer. She said she was one of many Ellison athletes whom made it a priority to attend the sessions.
“It’s really helped me get ready for my upcoming season,” Bowman said.
Shoemaker seniors Travonne Woodley, a defensive lineman, and Brenden Findley, an offensive lineman, described the two months of voluntary training as a tone-setter when it comes to work ethic, and that all of the hard work deposited can be cashed out during the regular season.
“Teamwork. Strength in numbers,” Woodley said. “If we’ve been here from the beginning, we 
should bond together through the season no matter how hard it gets.”
Added Findley: "We’re out here every day. It’s over 100 degrees. It’s not for everybody but everybody out here is getting the work done.”
Fall sports action kicks off with team tennis and volleyball matches, and cross country meets followed by opening night of the football season Aug. 30.
For more KISD sports, follow along on X @KilleenISD_ and Facebook/KISDSports, and head to www.killeenisd.org/athletics.
Summer Strength & Conditioning 2024 recap by Killeen ISD
