Pre-workout conditioning test

[PonyPride]

As Kate Hairopolous noted in her blog, head coach June Jones was pretty pleased with the condition of most of the team, and said freshman LB Byron Brown was among the best on the entire team.

Another player who appears to be in extraordinary shape, not surprisingly, is sophomore DE Taylor Thompson, who reportedly has added about 30 pounds of muscle since last season and virtually lapped the field (of offensive and defensive linemen) in the 220s.

[Roach]

No surprise at all that TT was the fastest lineman. The stories about his workouts are insane.

[SMU 86]

i heard Marquis Frazier made it through pretty well also.

[Dubbya]

i heard Marquis Frazier made it through pretty well also.

Good to hear.

[Dement-ed]

For someone who hasn't done them, can anyone explain why these 220s are such a good fitness indicator? I get the idea that sprints are hard, and that doing many of them in the heat would really suck. But how are 220s a measure of fitness, as opposed to 200s? Or maybe a larger number of 100s?

[originaloverthehilltop1]

220s are a better test of fitness because they are 20 yards longer than 200s.

[smuuth]

There are so many different ways that coaches test their athletes but it all comes down to the same reason no matter if it is Hayden Fry's shuttle or ten 220's or a mile under 7, it is a "gut-check".

[kull]

Exactly. Mental and physical toughness.

[PonyTales]

Part of it is simply the stop in the middle. A lot of guys can run the 220-yard distance, but stopping halfway through and re-starting can really take some wind out of the sails. Much harder than running a plain 220.

[High Horse]

The 220's are very difficult for the big guys. So they have to work consistantly towards this goal. This is one of the most effective parts of the "voluntary" summer conditioning program is that it helps player be accountable. They can measure themselves both against the clock and their teammates. Everyone knows this is coming the first day of practice.

[White Helmet]

I heard Chris Atchison showed up out of shape and didnt finish the 6 220's the Freshman were to run.

[High Horse]

He had problems earlier in the summer too and had to be helped off the field.

[Cadillac]

Considering the number of true freshmen Offensive Linemen on the team this year, Atchison can't afford to take any time off. These men will be in competition for the next five years and only the dominant will hit the turf on Saturdays. He's already the shortest of the rooks, he can't afford to be the slowest, the heaviest or the one with the least endurance.

-CoS

[RGV Pony]

which of the other Freshmen had a tough time?