Fans watch as Westminster’s best competitors sweat it out on the field, the court, or the track. What supporters don’t see is the extensive preparation that is injected into everything they do. All competitive athletes must keep themselves in peak condition even when they are not playing for WCA.
Logan McCall will be a freshman baseball player for Westminster this spring. He has a variety of skills, including the ability to play multiple positions and hit for contact. He helped the eighth grade team to a 7-1 record last year. The team dominated the competition, with the one loss in a tight game against rival Priory. But after that season ended was where the real story began. During the summer, McCall played for the Missouri Longhorns. Playing and traveling every weekend is the norm for this very successful team.
“The team last year won lots of tournaments, and that’s always fun,” said McCall.
By the end of the year, they had compiled an astonishing 47-15-1 record and were ranked 3rd in state. But Logan has higher goals in mind than meager tournament championships.
“I would like to be a college athlete or professional athlete,” said McCall.
Still, McCall has the dedication necessary to one day reach those goals. He participates in strength and conditioning courses, and during the season will practice about twice a week. As a young freshman with plenty of growth and development ahead of him, he has a chance to one day achieve his lofty goals.
Dedicated athletes are not only found in the upper school. Graham Pruett, seventh grade, will be playing soccer for WCA during the spring season. He plays for club team Saint Jenn in preparation for his first season. They win tournaments on a regular basis, including the Tim O’Toole Championships last year. Pruett has a remarkable amount of dedication for such a young person. He will practice four times a week in addition to multiple games. He does admit it’s difficult sometimes.
“Its hard to keep up with all the new moves and everything,” said Pruett.
Yet he continues to press forward despite the challenges he faces. That is the key to a high level athlete. One who, amidst the difficulties he faces, continues to persevere and evolve with the competition.
Then there are those who are experienced in their sport. Annie Schlafly, junior, has been a varsity tennis player since freshman year. During the season, she practices as many as six times a week, plus her matches. Tournaments occupy most of her weekends. Many wonder if Schlafly wears out from the constant practice and matches.
“Its mostly for fun, but the competition adds a fun aspect,” said Schlafly.
Dedication like this shines a positive light on Westminster and sports in general. Schlafly’s hard work has led her to be the number one player on the team and the captain. As captain, she has guided the team to a third place finish in the recent Metro League Tournaments.
A good example of pure dedication to a sport is swimmer Jake Kehr, senior. His intense club team practice schedule has six, two-hour practices a week. Kehr has steadily gained this passion for the sport over the years. After beginning at age eight, he has spent huge chunks of time in the pool. His motivation is simple.
“My main goal with swimming has always been to drop time,” said Kehr.
Kehr swims regularly with Clayton Shaw Park, a competitive, local swim club. This sharpens his competitive spirit and physical condition. Swimmers like him are those who will one day compete in nationals.
Successful athletes cannot succeed by halting training during the offseason. True competitors continue to train while not playing at Westminster. A select few go on to higher levels of play, such as Jacob Turner, class of 2009, and Tate Matheny, class of 2012. Turner has already appeared in the professional spotlight, and Matheny was given a full ride to MSU. Some of these younger athletes appear to be following that path.
