Summer Session

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat UA sophomore offensive guard Yusuf Scott works out yesterday at McKale Center. Scott plans to lift often over the summer, but will get a break when he returns to Texas to "chill" with friends and enjoy some home cooked meals.

It's true that most students use their summer to relax and unwind, as well as make some extra cash, after two grueling semesters of school.

The summer, however, is no picnic for most student-athletes, especially those who participate in fall sports. The summer months are a chance to get ready and be in top-notch form when the season rolls around in late August or early September.

"Because our season starts so soon, the summer is important to build a base," said cross country head coach Dave Murray, whose team begins practice on the first day of classes.

There is little rest for the members of the cross country team, many of whom also run track in the fall. Murray said as soon as the season is over, he puts the runners on 'active rest.' Active rest means the runners cut down their mileage one third, easing from 60 miles a week to 20 for about six weeks.

And then comes July.

"I use July 4 as a mental and physical date for the runners," Murray said. "This is when I want them to really start preparing for the season. At that point, they gradually build mileage."

Cross country is not the only sport that lays down work for the athletes to follow during the season. The volleyball and soccer team also stay busy for most of the summer.

"The routine is to attend pre-session, go home for a week, and then come back for training and lifting," volleyball head coach Dave Rubio said. "They work with the strength and conditioning coach as well as attend summer camps."

Rubio said the members of the volleyball squad will alternate days of running and lifting, as well as working with their former club teams when they are home.

Lifting and conditioning is also key for the football team over the summer.

"They train hard," defensive coordinator Rich Ellerson said. "They try to peak their conditioning by July."

Soccer head coach Lisa Fraser also keeps her women busy, as members of the squad are given a summer workout for the entire three months. The members spend the summer running and working with the ball.

"They all play on a lot of teams," Fraser said.

In fact, playing on organized teams is fairly common during the summer. Men's basketball coach Lute Olson said many of the recruits will be playing in leagues during the summer. California natives Ricky Anderson, Ruben Douglas, and Luke Walton will get a feel for playing with each other before anyone else.

"They are trying to play on a team together in a L.A. summer league," Olson said. "Maybe they will play with Miles (Simon)."

Incoming freshmen Michael Wright and Traves Wilson will stay in Chicago, where Olson said it is "never a problem finding a good camp in Chicago."

Others just hit the books and work on their individual game.

"I am going to pre-session," junior-to-be forward Gene Edgerson said. "Then I am going to eat, gain some weight, and work on my inside game."

"I am going to summer school class and then home in July," junior-to-be quarterback Keith Smith said. "I will be back for camp in August."

In the meantime, Smith said he will be working on his throwing in preparation for next season.

Olson said sophomore-to-be quarterback and shooting guard Ortege Jenkins, always the overachiever, was planning on working on both sports over the summer.

Also planning a demanding summer is senior-to-be cross country member Jeff McLarty, who hopes to be up to 80 miles a week before practice begins.

"People talk about burn-out," McLarty said. "I don't believe it. I think you can get tired mentally but not physically. I think it can only benefit you."

While some athletes take a trip home, others stick around Tucson all summer.

"Many get together with teammates to have running groups," Murray said. "A lot do it for academic reasons, but most stay around because they want to work with a teammate."

The students, however, are not the only ones that stay busy over the summer.

"By far, it's the busiest time," Rubio said, referring to the summer months.

Rubio said his summer is filled with camps and clinics, as well as attending two major tournaments.

"The pressure of recruiting is starting then," Rubio said.

Fraser also spends the summer recruiting, as well as working on staff of the Olympic Development Program, which gives her a chance to observe the top 30 girls in each state.

The summer, however, is not all work and no play for everyone.

"I take off three weeks," Murray said, adding that he usually heads for Colorado. "I relax and do some running."

McLarty said he is planning a 10-day hiking trip and a visit to Portland with his roommate, where he will of course run.

"I know what others do, and I know what it takes to be the best," McLarty said.

I know what you did last summer......

• Junior guard Jason Terry - played summer league basketball in Seattle

• Senior forward Bennett Davison - relaxed

• Junior center A.J. Bramlett - worked in Chicago at Michael Jordan's camp

• Freshman goalkeeper Inger Airheart - club team was a U-19 State Cup finalist

• Senior center Marte Alexander - helped out with UA's new student-athlete orientations

• Cross country junior Abdi Abdirahman - became a U.S. citizen

• Cross country freshman Katrin Englen - attended school in her native land (Germany) until August