Oklahoma State University Athletics
Mile Test Brings Hoops Summer Training To A Close
July 31, 2015 | Cowboy Basketball
The Cowboys earned their early release from summer training thanks to a deal from strength & conditioning coach, Jake Manzelmann. Summer vacation would start a day early if they could finish a mile in the 97-degree heat under their prescribed time.
Did the extra motivation help? Every Cowboy crossed the line with time to spare, including Chris Olivier, who knocked a full minute off his mile time in his two months in Stillwater.
This two week summer vacation will be the team's last extended break before the 2015-16 season tips off in November, and most of the team plans on spending it with friends and family in their hometowns. Some players, Olivier included, are volunteering to return to OSU early to get extra work in before the full squad arrives.
The OSU coaches raved at the work ethic and enthusiasm the team showed over the last two months. Not only did head coach Travis Ford hope to build the team's fitness and strength over the summer, but the on-court workouts helped improve individual skillsets, and they were even able to install the basic elements of the team's offense and defense for the fall.
"The motto for this summer was 'Together and Toughness,' and I think we accomplished that this summer," Ford said. "I don't know if I've ever been a part of a team that came together so much in the course of just two months."
Take a look at the short videos below for a sample of the workouts OSU went through this summer.
Can't stop us from getting some early morning work in. #RiseAndGrind #OKState pic.twitter.com/hB1Agt2b85
— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) July 21, 2015Ever have one of those days when you can't miss? @PhilForte13 has those too ... a lot. #OKState #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/aUsLZTa4X8
— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) July 27, 2015Gotta love when the freshman is pushing the senior to get better too. @Hungry_humble0 & @PhilForte13 doing work. pic.twitter.com/dvT29rB9V8
— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) July 14, 2015Friday morning #RiseAndGrind. #OKState #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/nMZrfqfrdf
— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) July 17, 2015Nothing easy about scoring 5 buckets in 25 seconds, but it will get you in shape. #OKState pic.twitter.com/BgPzjM6ZHo
— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) July 22, 2015It's only Monday but we already saw the hustle play of the week courtesy new walk on @CodeyMac24. #Motor #OKState pic.twitter.com/CavgulBHop
— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) July 14, 2015Constantly sharpening our spacing & timing. #OKState #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/FQ4Pj1gboq
— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) July 16, 2015We want to play up-tempo, so the 2-on-1 break is a huge key. #OKState #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/c1pIf8Ue3Q
— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) July 18, 2015Apparently @ChrisOlivier_31 saw that @JonRothstein tweet from earlier. Dude was on fire today! ?????? pic.twitter.com/nnWzK32JEe
— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) July 28, 2015.@cowboystrength keeps track of everything- including BMI. The Bod Pod uses air pressure to measure body composition. pic.twitter.com/7ZoCcLFdzX
— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) July 24, 2015"Don't think about what he's doing. Think about what YOU want to get accomplished." @OSUCoachFord5 gets hands-on. pic.twitter.com/1uIfcqTWkc
— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) July 13, 2015Â
