Trojans hold their first early morning workout Friday
By Ben Malcolmson USCRipsIt PeteCarroll.com
If the early bird gets the worm, then the Trojans will be crawling with worms.
The entire team gathered for the first 6:30 a.m. team run of the summer Friday morning, when the strength and conditioning staff led a 45-minute high-intensity workout on Cromwell Field.
Because of jobs, summer school classes and internships, the players have varying schedules during the summer months, so the strength and conditioning staff hosts three workouts a day. That is, except for the select mornings with 6:30 a.m. team runs, when all players meet at dawn for a rare chance to workout as a team during the off-season.
“The morning runs allow our players to work together as one,” head strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle said. “With classes and other commitments, these are a big chance during the summer to emphasize teamwork and develop a unity through hard work.”
Carlisle’s motto for the morning — “be great today” — echoed on Cromwell Field as the players snappily raced from one drill to another on a pleasant Friday morning. Check out the photos from this morning’s early team run:
Players prepare for the team run as the sun rises a little before 6:30 a.m.
Coach Chris Carlisle counts down to the start of the workout — four seconds to go.
Kicker Joe Houston goes through warm-ups as the sun rises behind him.
Linebackers Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga churn through the bags.
Tailback Joe McKnight does a seat roll during the wave drill led by assistant strength coach Charr Gahagan.
Assistant strength coach Charr Gahagan directs the wave drill.
Tailbacks C.J. Gable and Broderick Green go through a shuffle-sprint drill.
Safety Taylor Mays finishes through the ladder with safety Will Harris close behind.
Quarterback Aaron Corp and receiver Patrick Turner do a scissor drill through the ladder.
Fullback Stanley Havili and receiver Garrett Green shuffle through the ladder.
Coach Carlisle speaks to the team at the end of the workout.
The players come together for a final “Trojans” chant to cap off the morning run.
• Ben Malcolmson is the Director of Online Media for USCRipsIt/PeteCarroll.com. You can contact him at Ben@PeteCarroll.com.
