While most students were enthusiastically waving farewell to FSU last spring, Lindsey Pettit elected to remain in Big Rapids over the summer and is happy she did so.
The Ferris State University basketball and softball player stayed and trained “from the first week of summer till the last week of summer” for her upcoming seasons.
“With this being my senior year of basketball, it has really hit me hard that this is my last chance to accomplish my goals,” Pettit said. “Being a senior comes with lots of responsibility and leadership roles. I want to set the bar high for all the new girls coming in.”
As part of setting the bar high, Pettit attended kettlebell workouts Monday-Thursday from 5:30 – 6 a.m. After kettlebells on Tuesdays and Thursdays, she went directly to the track for sprint workouts.
But that’s not all.
“Days that there were no sprint workouts I would go for a distance run or do a workout either on the elliptical or go to the community pool and swim laps,” Pettit said.
Four days a week, she played in open gyms with her teammates during the evenings. Participants would scrimmage, complete skill workouts or shoot around.
“The past two years we have been either a .500 or below team in basketball, and that is not acceptable to me,” Pettit said. “We have just fallen short of making the GLIAC tournament the past two years, and I am sick of ‘almost there.’ I would like to be a contender for winning a championship.”
The weekends brought minimal relief as Pettit traveled to Ohio to compete in four softball tournaments at the 23 and under level.
“With our softball team underachieving what we were really capable of doing last season, it is definitely motivation to continue to get my swings in and work on my skills to improve every day to ensure that we have nothing less than a satisfying season this spring,” she said.
As if her grueling training schedule wasn’t enough, Pettit found time take an online class, earn her CNA (certified nurse assistant) certification and work on the campus grounds crew from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. every day.
“It isn’t difficult to find time to train because it’s just something you do,” she said. “As a college athlete, it is expected for you to continue training for your sport throughout the summer.”
Being in Big Rapids allowed Pettit to utilize the gym and receive instruction from trainers who help her during the season. She believed the experience led to her growth not only as an athlete but a person as well.
“It is good to be here during the summer with many other student athletes who are also training for their sports because you can feed off each other’s desire and passion to get better,” Pettit said. “My team is my motivation. I know they are all working hard for me so I make it my priority to work hard for them.”