A dozen Iola High School students cheered and celebrated as school board members agreed to spend $50,000 to replace outdated weightlifting equipment.
Weight teacher Mike Wilhelm and wrestling coach Jason Bates asked the board to support the purchase of $75,000 in new equipment, with $25,000 paid by a grant from Health Forward Foundation.
They offered a detailed presentation to the board, with photos of old and damaged equipment compared to the items they wanted to buy.
Board members may have supported the request after their presentation, but powerful speeches by two seniors sealed the deal.
The students’ enthusiasm and support for the program is something relatively new, senior Brett Willis explained to the school board.
During his four years at IHS, the school has gone through three weight teachers and low participation in the weight training program.
“It’s been hard to have any consistency,” he said.
That changed with the arrival of weight teacher Mike Wilhelm this year. He offered opportunities for winter sports athletes to focus more on weight training. At first, just a handful of students, maybe five or six, took him up on it.
Then, the numbers grew. Wilhelm opened the weight room after track practices. Now, between 15 and 20 students work out almost every night, Willis said.
“Our culture is really moving in the right direction,” Willis said. “I’ve witnessed so much growth in my fellow students, not just physically but mentally.”
Senior Sage Barney also spoke to the board, armed with research on the benefits of weight training in high school:
• Sparks lifelong habits.
• Increases community health, as students are likely to continue practicing the skills they’ve learned.
• Increases learning. Studies show students focus better in the classroom immediately after physical activity.
• Improves collaborations and helps students form friendships. Students have to trust each other.
“The weight room helps the mentality of students, and mine has definitely changed,” Barney said. “You’re not only going to work on physical toughness but mental toughness. Your mind will give up 10 times more easily than your body.”
Both Barney and Willis pointed out that they are seniors. They won’t benefit from the new equipment, but believe it is important for their peers and for the future success of IHS athletes.
