MIDDLEBURG - With a surprising majority vote, the Middleburg High softball team, entering the 2024 season with a chip on their shoulders to return to state championship status, all agreed that a 5:30 a.m. wake up call to a 6:15 a.m. weightlifting and conditioning session was the next step to engineering that return.

"We originally thought about a twice-a-week regimen in the morning and two sessions in the afternoon," said Middleburg head softball coach Ashley Houston, who orchestrated a state championship run two years ago, but got stopped last year in the district semifinals (by Columbia, then Ridgeview beat Columbia to win district title) and then in the first game of the region playoffs. "The girls voted on a majority to have it four mornings per week just so we would have the weight room to ourselves. They have a chip on their shoulders to return to the Final Four."
For their morning ritual, Houston banks on a fitter, stronger lineup that enhances more muscle recovery than overall strength and power.
"The team started in late August with the conditioning in the weight room with probably half of our girls on the Middleburg weightlifting team right now," said Houston. "We don't do a lot of heavy powerlifting, but mobility conditioning with quick movements with weights. We are doing a program; The Summers Method (Thomas Summers in Tampa area), that a lot of college and professional athletes are using to improve their overall fitness."
Houston sees the payoff with fitter, stronger athletes.
"We had our best fall season and we could see the improvement in their athleticism on the field," said Houston. "We also talk about proper nutrition so they can workout here, go through a school day and be hydrated and nourished for a quality practice after school."
Houston also likes the camaraderie of the team to commit to being up early and in the weight room with teammates.
"We get some coming a bit grumpy, but with the music going and their teammates around them, the team vibe kicks in," said Houston. "Our five seniors have made the commitment to NCAA Division I schools with three juniors also committing. They all push each other."
Right now, Houston cited Ariana Seibel as the "Alpha" in the room as Seibel is a weightlifting team standout as well.
"She pushes as well as the younger Johnson sister, Calyn, they are the ones that keep the team moving," said Houston.