Early mornings can only be made better with the breakfast of champions: Frosted Flakes. Well, according to Brooks Ayers (jr), that is. Being part of the Indiana Wesleyan University men’s tennis teams, Ayers knows all about being a champion.
His freshman year, the team won conference. His sophomore year the Wildcats tied for second place and this past season the team tied for third. Next year he’s looking for redemption.
But redemption does not come from laziness.
“Next year we want to win conference and go to NAIA Nationals in Alabama,” Ayers said. Our goal is to win a round of Nationals, which is extremely hard to do.”
With this as his motivation, Ayers is trying to make sure that he his in the best condition he can be in.
“It’s tough because there aren’t any indoor places,” Ayers said. “We practice right now two days a week, Tuesday and Thursday from like 9:30–11:30-ish at night because that’s the only time we can get in.”
This offseason has obviously not been a walk in the park. With tennis practices twice a week and almost daily 45-minute runs, it’s been busy.
The tough workouts help keep Ayers physically strong, but he is also mentally strong, proving to be a leader on the tennis team.
Men’s tennis coach Keith Ruberg describes Ayers as reliable.
“Basically he follows up,” Ruberg said. “Whatever he says he follows up with. And unfortunately a lot of leaders today don’t do that. The most effective leadership is by example.”
With Ayers helping lead the tennis team this spring and next fall, there’s no telling where the squad will end up.
Heading into next year.
Mornings don’t come easily to everyone though. Kylie Dial (jr) of the IWU women’s soccer team prefers to get her workouts in other ways.
“I am like a zombie in the morning,” Dial said. “I just don’t function.”
Fortunately, she finds other ways to get in her workout. She spends two sessions every week with the team working on skills and the rest of her workouts with a group of two other young women. In these groups they are responsible for weightlifting one day and working on overall fitness the next.
Wildcats coach John Bratcher explained what productivity can look like when the team isn’t playing games.
“Growth in the offseason can be measured in many ways,” Bratcher said. “It can be technical, tactical and/or physical. We want to be better players, teammates and have better match flow or chemistry in order to be a more successful team the following season. This also involves the growth of leadership for the upcoming seniors.”
Dial’s work ethic and determination do not go unnoticed by her coach.
“[Dial] demonstrates one of the highest work rates in any women’s player I have coached,” Bratcher said. “At the same time, she is aware of her teammates and can give them a verbal encouraging word, instruction or admonition to pick it up.”
Despite the name, “offseasons” can be stressful. Losing players to graduation, the pressure of classes and papers to write is enough to test the toughest of athletes. But Dial uses her soccer skills to relive her stress and sharpen her play. Her favorite stress reliever? Juggling a ball between her feet.
“Juggling is a big stress reliever for me,” Dial said. “I’ll usually just grab a racquetball court and juggle and listen to music.”
While all the physical preparation does Dial good there is also a mental aspect that she enjoys. Working out with her team strengthens the Wildcats’ bonds and helped Dial step into a greater leadership role. A roll that may be vital to a team looking to make waves with a new coaching staff.
