Osky Strength and Speed Program Enters Third Year With Growing Participation

Oskaloosa Brett Doud and incoming senior Grady Kennedy talked about the strength and conditioning program in the Oskaloosa School District.

More than 150 students are trained each week during the summer, while the school-year program reaches about 300 students.

Oskaloosa’s strength and conditioning program is now in its third year. More students are joining, the training facility has been renovated, and coaches are using data more than ever to help athletes get better.

Osky Strength and Speed is open to students from many different sports. Brett Doud, the district’s director of human strength and performance, explained that the program was started to make training more consistent and easier for students to fit into their busy schedules.

Before the program started, athletes often had to train before or after school, or even after practices. This made it hard for students who also had jobs, homework, or other activities.

The district added strength and speed training to physical education classes during the school day. Doud said this change lets students get some of their training done without needing to come in early or stay late.

Participation reaches hundreds of students

Doud said that about 150 to 160 students took part in the summer 2026 program each week. They trained four days a week in five different sessions, each set up for different sports and age groups.

The sessions included groups for football, volleyball and tennis, swimming and cross country, baseball and softball, as well as middle school students. Sports with similar movements were sometimes grouped together so students could do training that fit their needs.

The district shared the program’s growth in a report about its youth combine on July 23.

The combine brought students in grades seven through twelve to Old Community Stadium. Athletes took part in a 40-yard dash, a 10-yard sprint, a pro agility drill, a vertical jump, and a broad jump.

These tests measured things like acceleration, side-to-side movement, power, and explosiveness. Coaches wrote down the results so they could see how each athlete was improving compared to earlier tests.

Doud pointed out that the summer numbers don’t show the whole picture. During the school year, about 300 students in grades eight through twelve use the weight room every week.

Middle school PE teachers also bring advanced fitness classes to the high school training room. Doud thanked those teachers, other staff, and students for supporting the program.

Training built around movement and safety

The program focuses on movement rather than just lifting the most weight. Students still try to improve their squat, bench press, and clean, but coaches look at more than just how much they can lift.

Training also includes speed drills, jumping, mobility exercises, and moves that help athletes control one side of their body at a time.

Doud said safety and injury prevention are two of the program’s main goals. Students learn to control the weight they lift, use good technique, and add weight slowly and safely.

The district also teams up with William Penn University and Mahaska Health to test students using force plates. These tests happen each sports season and involve several short exercises.

Students from William Penn look at the results and send reports back to the school. The information can show if an athlete needs to work on strength, speed, or explosiveness. It can also point out differences between the right and left sides of the body.

Coaches can then change exercises for each student. If an athlete has an imbalance, they might get more single-leg exercises until their balance improves.

The district collects data on movement and strength three times a year. Doud said coaches use this information like teachers use test results. The numbers help show where students are getting better and where training might need to change.

Renovated room increases space and consistency

The project took about a year and a half to finish. The district worked with Power Lift to redesign the room and swapped out a mix of old training racks for 12 matching half racks. racks for 12 matching half racks.

Six racks were set up on each side of the room. New inlaid flooring got rid of raised platforms that used to be tripping hazards. The new design also gave students more space to train.

The room also got new colors and Oskaloosa branding throughout.

Grady Kennedy, who will be a senior this year, said the new facility showed students that the district was investing in the program. He said this made more students want to join.

Kennedy has been doing strength training at school since eighth grade. Over the past year, his squat went up by about 50 to 70 pounds. His bench press and hang clean both improved by about 40 to 50 pounds.

He said these gains have helped him on the football field, too. Kennedy feels more confident, explosive, and physical when playing against bigger opponents.

Program serves more than football players

Doud said the training program isn’t just for football players or students who want to get bigger.

Workouts are adjusted for athletes in volleyball, tennis, swimming, cross country, and other sports. General strength exercises are often combined with explosive moves and exercises that strengthen joints.

For runners, building stronger muscles around the knees, ankles, and core can help them handle the demands of a race. Other athletes might need to focus more on quickness, jumping, or moving side to side.

Doud said the main goal is to help athletes move safely and effectively in whatever sport they choose.

The program also teaches students about nutrition, recovery, and sleep. Kennedy said students learn how to refuel after training, eat enough protein, and get eight to ten hours of sleep.

Students also cheer each other on during workouts. Kennedy said teammates often gather around a rack to support someone trying a new max lift. He thinks this positive atmosphere helps teams bond and motivates students to keep working hard.

Kennedy has become so interested in the program that he’s thinking about a career in strength and conditioning. He expects training and fitness will stay important to him even after high school sports.

As Osky Strength and Speed starts its third year, Doud said the program is still growing. More students are joining, athletes are gaining confidence, and younger students now have a better idea of what’s expected.

The goal is for students to graduate from Oskaloosa High School knowing how to train safely, take care of their bodies, and keep up healthy habits as adults.