By Lori Wood | For Daily Reporter
PENDLETON — In the midst of any crisis, it seems someone always finds a way to make a difference, create change or find another way.
With schools closed and Indiana on a shelter-in-place order, one challenge is student-athletes don’t have the opportunity to workout or even meet with friends. Pendleton Heights wrestling coach Dave Cloud, the agent of change in this case, had an idea to get the team involved and engaged.
He reached out to his assistant coach Katie Kriebel, Greenfield-Central wrestling coach Josh Holden and Mt. Vernon wrestling coach Chad Masters to start online exercise challenges between the three schools.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
“Energy takes on its own power,” Cloud said. “It beats sitting on the couch.”
Even though the Hoosier Heritage Conference schools are rivals on the floor, Cloud thought of Holden and Masters immediately.
“We have schools of similar size and programs. There are just certain people you always reach out to,” Cloud said.
Holden and Masters were on board right away.
Beat.gc.mv.ph on Instagram was born with Kriebel taking on the logistics of keeping track of the challenges. Participants have to record themselves doing the challenge, send it to her, and Kriebel tallies the numbers.
They opened the contests to anyone connected to the wrestling programs. Middle schoolers, wrestling clubs and family members have all been contributing.
“We laid out the ground rules.” Kriebel said. “It’s been really fun. Someone sent a video doing squats holding their dog. One was dressed in a chicken suit. There was one with healthcare workers doing squats while working. We even had one from a grandmother.”
“It felt good to be connected and to have a friendly competition. But we definitely want to beat them,” Kriebel said.
Masters embraced the idea quickly and the challenge has caught on.
“I absolutely loved the idea of getting the kids and parents involved,” he said.
A couple of his wrestlers are baseball players who are missing their season, and the challenges are one way of alleviating some of the boredom and to keep active.
“At school, they have the weight room and their friends to push them,” Masters said.
When Cloud contacted Holden, he too was ready to give it a shot.
“Dave’s that guy who’s always thinking of others. He’s constantly trying to grow the sport and keep moving forward,” Holden said.
He agreed that not only do the challenges push the athletes to keep in shape, but it also help their mental aspect in such an uncharted territory.
“As coaches, you have to be there for them,” he said.
After Kriebel receives the videos and tallies the numbers, she uploads the videos to the Instagram account. Holden said by viewing these videos, the athletes are getting to know each other a little better.
“Seeing these is fun for them and everyone,” Holden said.
Jackson Todd, an eighth-grader at Pendleton Middle School, turned in 800 squats in the first challenge.
Normally, in the spring, he wrestles freestyle and Greco, and not being able to practice has hurt.
Signing on to participate in the challenges has helped.
“It’s filling the competitive drive I have and definitely helping me get active and up out of bed,” Todd said.
His family has decided to purchase a wrestling mat for their garage so Todd can keep up his activity and practice.
Mt. Vernon freshman Caelan Alford said some family members also are helping the Marauders with the task, and he hopes to get his brother involved as well.
“Working out has been a challenge. This helps staying in shape and also gives us more school spirit.”
Another Marauder, Kellen Kerr has enjoyed the activity. The sophomore has found it to be a welcome change.
“I’m stuck in the house, and it gives me something to do.”
He said the squats and pushups keep his muscle strength intact and also help him mentally.
“Now, you don’t have your teammates around to push you.”
When the contest began last Monday, the goal was to be the first team to 7,500 squats. The Arabians grabbed the early lead, but videos from both Greenfield-Central and Mt. Vernon filtered in throughout the day, and by Tuesday, the Marauders had reached the goal.
Kriebel said the kids were really driven with the opportunity to compete against each other. She said when one sent in a video, she told him if he did two more squats, his school would take the lead. He turned in another 102.
Mt. Vernon won the squats and the 5,000-pushup contest. The new challenge chosen by the Marauders begins today.
As the weeks of no school and social distancing continue, all the coaches are hopeful the enthusiasm not only maintains but grows. While this is a competition, everyone agrees a fun, good-for-the-body diversion is what many can use during these times.
Anyone can follow the progress and watch the videos on Instagram at beat.gc.mv.ph.
