Austin High School is hoping to boost its athletes for next season.

The school has started a new summer strength and conditioning program that begins June 9 that focuses on strength, speed and conditioning improvements.

“Everybody needs to get a little a stronger and faster,” AHS Activities director Lisa Quednow-Bickler said. “It’s also a great way to prevent injuries.”

About 50 students have signed up for the program, which will include time in the weight room and time doing agility drills, so far.

“It’s a great opportunity to work on some things you don’t always get a chance to work on in a game,” Quednow-Bickler said.

The program runs from June 9-July 29 on Mondays through Fridays from 1:30-3 p.m. and there is another session that runs from June 6-August 11 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-6:30 p.m.

The schedule is flexible and students can flip flop different workout times.

The camp season also gets kicked of on Monday with the Good, Better, Best softball camp at Todd Park Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“Camps area great way for younger kids to get to know the varsity coaches,” Quednow-Bickler said. “They can improve and work on things they wouldn’t normally do during the seasons.”

AHS will be holding its physcials June 15 this summer for anyone going into grades 9-12. Any student who is in sports that has a physical which expires before June 1, 2012.

Physicals start at 4:30 p.m. for boys and 5:30 p.m. at Mayo Health Systems-Austin.

Contact the Activies office at 507-433-0426 for more info.

UPCOMING CAMPS

Sharp shooter young girls basketball camp

Who: Girls entering grades 1-4

When: July 11-15

Time: 1:30-2:45 p.m. for first and second grade; 2:45-4:15 p.m. for third and fourth grade

Location: AHS Packer Gym

Fee: $35

Registration: Gary Peterson at 507-437-7743 or gary.peterson@austin.k12.mn.us

Junior basketball camp

Who: Boys entering grades 1-4

When: June 27-July 1

Time: 10-11 a.m. for first and second grade; 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for third and fourth grade

Location: AHS Gym
Fee: $15
Reistration: Kris Fadness at 507-460-1800 ext. 0126 or 507-440-8884

Austin Packer football camp

Who: Incoming fourth and ninth grade

When: August 8-12

Time: 4-6 p.m.

Location: AHS Wescott Field

Fee: $35

Registration: Forms are available at the AHS Activities Office

Denny Bray’s Southern Minnesota girls hockey camp

Who: Incoming seventh through 12th grade girls

When: July 11-14 and July 18-21

Time: First session from 5:45-7 p.m.; second session from 4:45-6:15 p.m.

Location: Albert Lea Ice Arena

Fee: $150 for both weeks; $75 for one week

Registration: Mark Jenkins at markjenkins@charter.net