With finals week only days away, the thought of winter break may be the only thing keeping many Ohio State students warm.
Many OSU student-athletes do not share this luxurious winter fate. Depending on the team, the coach and the season, they may not enjoy a break at all.
The Buckeye football team will continue to practice and prepare for its upcoming bowl game, which has yet to be officially announced. The players will also get a lot more free time than they are used to when classes are in session.
“I plan to take some time off,” offensive lineman Alex Stepanovich said. “I will continue to practice and lift a little bit. Mainly, I am going to play lots of video games and watch tons of movies, making sure that I relax and enjoy my down time as much as possible.”
Other teams will be practicing and competing regularly. The men’s and women’s basketball teams will continue on their regular schedule, sans classes, as they look to improve their continuing seasons.
The women’s volleyball team has been done with its season since its final game Saturday. The girls will not be allowed to practice during a dead period that will last until the end of break, when they will begin non-mandatory workouts until practice picks back up in early spring, according to their athletic contract.
The OSU women’s soccer team is finished with its record-setting season, bowing out in the second round of the NCAA tournament in early November.
“We get about two months off,” midfielder Liz Mumley said. “Then about the middle of January we start training for next year, so we have a lot of work to do. Coach (Lori Walker) refers to this as our summer, so it will be exciting to get a nice break.”
Members of the fencing team will not see action again until the beginning of January. Fencer Molly Krebs, said the team is allowed to leave for break and the locals or people who stay here are allowed to participate in club practices to stay sharp. She also mentioned that a few of her teammates will be traveling with the coaches to the North American Cup in San Jose, as well as to several international competitions.
For the men’s and women’s gymnastic teams, it is a different story after their Dec. 13 intrasquad competition at the Training Center. They will be given two weeks off to go home or do whatever they have planned during break but will be given instructions on how to stay in shape.
Many other athletes will continue to practice during their off season and through winter break as they hope to improve for their next competition.
