Copyright MMIX
Stillwater Area High School
5701 Stillwater Blvd. N.
Stillwater, MN 55082
The Pony Express is not responisble for the content of external websites.
The Pony Express is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Copyright Stillwater Area High School MMX
Maggie Peterson
Sports Layout Editor
The smell of sweat and determination fills the nose upon walking into the weight room. Most would shy away from the intimidating nature of the last room to the leftin the gym area, but 14 people in the high school call it home. The group calls themselves the "Dirty Dozen" and they lift weights not just for ridiculously huge muscles, but for entertainment, extra credit and hanging out with friends.
The group started during a Weight Lifting class; whoever could max out (lift as much weight as they can) with the most weight would get extra credit points.
"It all started for fun," senior Ryan Sparby said, "but after the same people kept staying after school to do the extra credit, we decided to officially make ourselves a group."
The Dirty Dozen get together at least three times a week and lift free weights in the back half of the weight room. One person is designated to bring in CDs to play each week, but when sports team come into the weight room to lift weights, the Dirty Dozen try to be respectful as possible.
"Sometimes it's hard because we're so used to having the weight room to ourselves, but we don't want to get in their way. Most of us play sports so we know how important it is to stay focused," junior Max Schultz said.
The Dirty Dozen is not just limited to the guys, however. Junior Meagan Lepicello is also in the group, yet her motives are just the same as the others.
"When I first joined I was a little intimidated because I never actually stayed after school to lift weights. Walking in there, it was all guys and I felt out of place," Lepicello said, "but I also want to work on my muscle definition and I have a ton of fun lifting with everyone else."
The Dirty Dozen is a chance for a group of people to hang out after school while working on their body condition. When one first walks into the weight room, intimidation floods the senses and causes even the strongest people to feel weak, but the group is more or less about earning extra credit in their gym class and having fun with a group of friends.
