I teach one thing: Hard Work

Styles DeLeon tries to slow his partner down in this pull against each other in a Friday night workout at Sorosis Park put on by Lamont Chricton-Tunai.

The virus can cancel a few games but not the spirit

By Tom Peterson

It’s 6:30 on Oct. 9 - a Friday night.

Most people think the week’s over.

But for the fourteen athletes showing up at Lamont Crichton-Tunai’s free workout class at Sorosis Park, there are the next 40 minutes to contend with.

Despite the loss of track meets, basketball, volleyball, and football games, athletes in The Dalles are digging in, attending grueling training, and working out for when the competition will reboot.

On Friday night, athletes were dressed in shorts, t-shirts, and running shoes. Despite it being a no-school day, they have shown up. And they’re breathing hard.  

Standing at 5’ 10” and 295 pounds, Lamont calls out the drill.

“Two Burpees, jog and sprint,” he shouts. 

As the group of seven boys touch the fence and begin their sprint, Crichton-Tunai teases his son, “Wow, you let Natu beat you back?”

The pace is grueling as the running segue into a resistance exercise, where one athlete dons an intertube connected to a 20-foot rope with a handle. A second athlete grabs the handle and pulls backward holding his partner as he tries to run forward in the tube. They cross the field, knees pumping high, battling each other.

Fire is lighting up their calves and thighs as they work to exhaustion.

The music from the stereo bumps as the sweat beads.

“That’s better, push yourselves,” Lamont belts out. “Push, push, push... Change it up.”

Lamont has been holding these practices since March when it became apparent all organized games were shut down because of coronavirus.

He has several children and a niece working out in the group, and he has known most of the others for years, many having grown up with his kids.

“Where you going child,” he says to his daughter, who is running the wrong direction in a shuffle run. “Who is your parent?”

A second later he throws out: “Just cause I’m’ your uncle, you don’t get to cheat.”

“I only teach one thing,” he said during a 20-second break. “Hard work.”

After the bunnyhops, medicine ball, and battle ropes, eighth-grader Maddie Brock, a volleyball, basketball, and softball player,  stretched out.

“I’ve had a knee problem,” she said. “I am trying to strengthen it.” 

Nearby, Avery Schwartz is holding the cyclone fence and stretching his thigh. He said Lamont was getting him in shape. “I have to keep going,” the eighth-grader said. “This helps me. I know I have to keep working so when it (sports competitions) does happen, I’m ready.”

Manatu Crichton-Tunai, 16, said his dad’s work out was the toughest of the day. He had just gotten back from a seven-man football scrimmage in Vancouver, Wash.

“I’ve got to work out,” he said. “This is an opportunity to get to college, get smart, and get to go somewhere.”

Mid-Columbia Medical Centers Laura Waller takes some 40 students at The Dalles High School’s Amaton Field through a one-hour class called Creating the Better Athlete. The Classes are held monday through friday in two sessions starting at 4:30 p.m.

At The Dalles High School, some 60 students are turning out five days a week to put in an hour of training. Two sessions run between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. 

Mid-Columbia Medical Center’s Laura Waller leads athletes through a series of exercises, such as Superman, pikes, and foot Fire. 

High School Tennis Coach Debi Jones said the turnout was “inspiring.”

“These kids come out. No one is forced. It is all voluntary,” she said. “There is a lot of school pride coming out of this.”

Supergirl - Jeilane Stewart, 14, works her core in the Superman exercise.

A mix of swimmers, football players, and all other sports athletes at all age levels - freshman to seniors - have joined the program and are building a larger community in the pursuit of staying in shape. 

“It’s our little boot camp,” Jones said.

Fourteen-year-old Jeilane Stewart said she liked the rigor. 

“I like the challenges,” she said. “It’s preparing me for things that come later. And I get to see my friends too.”

In downtown, The Dalles Jordan Davis, owner of Level Up is taking students on a cross-fit journey. 

“This is super needed she said, noting the social aspect fo kids working out together. “For them, it is as much about mental health as it is about physical health.”

Coach Brewster Whitmire, 31, trained the classes on form - how to squat while keeping the back straight and isolated to prevent injury. 

“It’s my hobby,” he said. “It’s so much fun.” 

Jacob String, 14, works the medicine ball at Level Up, a cross training center in downtown The Dalles. String and dozens of other local students are committing to staying in shape while COVID has games on hold.

During the class, athletes push their limits learning how to handle a medicine ball during squat and clean positions.

Jacob String, 14, who likes football and basketball said he had been at it for two weeks. 

“I come to have fun,” he said. “It’s something to do, and I’m not stuck in the house.”