The transition from junior high to high school can be a challenge for many students on many different levels. But for some, one of the toughest challenges is the upgrade in athletics. The changes can be seen physically, as well as in practice and even how games are played.

In many sports, there are changes in skills and competition between schools and their players. Whether it’s the extensive time spent in the weight room for football or the two-hour practices at the batting cages, high school takes its sports to a whole new level of drive and competition.

“Once you get to high school, the whole game changes,” said Taylor Stuart, linebacker for Free State football. “You pretty much live in the weight room all summer, and when you’re not there, you’re either running or choking down protein shakes. Either way it’s not something I was used to in junior high, but it’s all about bettering myself and I don’t mind it at all now.”

For others, the experience of high school sports hasn’t happened yet. Although they can’t play with the team, junior high athletes have various opportunities to get involved and more importantly get a feel for what the next step will be like. One of the opportunities is Free State High’s “Speed School”, an after-school workout program open to anyone, for any sport. Its idea is to improve overall physical performance through agility and weight training.

“Most of the offseason work- outs we do for football is through speed school,” Stuart said. “It’s a good way to stay in shape and even improve yourself.”

Junior high athletes are open to these options as well as plenty of summer programs to get them comfortable with the transition. Despite the opportunities, each athlete may have a different reaction or approach to the coming changes. While some are nervous, some aren’t too stressed on the upcoming transition.

“I’m not too worried about it,” said Austin Hoag, eighth- grader at West Junior High. “My brother will be there to help me get through it, but I really don’t see it as a big change.”

Austin played for the eighth-grade boys basketball team at West this winter, and plans to play through high school at Free State. While his high school experience is still a year away, Austin is confident that the transition will not be too difficult.

“It’s cool that the high school has three different teams to play on, (sophomore, junior varsity and varsity)” Hoag said. “The offseason teams and workouts are also something I see as a benefit that will help me play all three years.”