The past year at Hewitt has been one of change, with new ways for Hewitt students to expand their interests and try new things. This year, Hewitt’s athletic department added two new winter sports programs: Winter Conditioning and Squash

Spinning. Credit to gettyimages.com

Coach Anna Calcuncagin, Director of Athletics, says that Winter Conditioning, which will be coached by Coach Vanessa DiPaolo, “will involve spinning classes, resistance training, and strength & conditioning exercises.” She described squash, coached by Coach Nick DePaola, as “a racket sport in which you and your opponent are enclosed in a 4 walled room,” using strokes similar to those used in tennis. She hopes “to train a team to be strong enough to compete in the AAIS league by the next school year.”

What do these new programs offer to us? Winter Conditioning gives spring athletes an outlet to stay in shape during their off-season and return to their sport months from now with strength and stamina. Squash players at Hewitt can now play for our school, and students who have never played the sport now have the chance to try.

Are the benefits of Winter Conditioning and Squash, however, outweighed by the cancellation of the Hewitt swim program?  Some students were disappointed that the Hewitt swim team was discontinued this year. However, other students now seem excited about the two new programs. Liz Dolgicer ’12 stated she is is “really excited about winter conditioning,” particularly because she “loves to spin.” Emma Blinken ’13, is “happy that we have the privilege to start a new team.”

If you are interested in either Winter Conditioning or Squash, talk to the coached today, before it is too late!

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