WHITE SALMON — The Columbia High School (CHS) Bruins athletics program recently received a boost in the form of new weight racks from the Rouge Fitness brand. A collaboration between the athletics department, White Salmon Lions Club, Bruins Club and the CHS cross country team raised $30,000 for three new weight racks that can support a variety of different compound exercises, such as squats, dead lifts and shoulder press.
AJ Valencia, CHS athletic director, said the athletics department received a $5,000 donation from the White Salmon Lions Club and a $10,000 donation from the CHS cross country program and coach Michael Hannigan. Through other fundraising efforts, they were able to bring fresh equipment into the weight room for the first time in almost a decade, said Valencia.
“Some of it was starting to be a little bit unsafe,” he said. “We have [some] cable machines that have been in there since the 70s.”
Valencia said he and a few other school administrators observed the weight rooms at other Trico schools and quickly realized they needed an upgrade. Columbia High has one of the largest weight rooms among the Trico schools, but the Bruins’ aging equipment is behind their competition, and the school’s strength and conditioning coordinator, John Hallead, has ambitions to program high intensity training for the student-athletes.
Valencia also credits Sean Ciemiewicz for his volunteer work getting parents and the community engaged in the endeavor. On top of working a full-time job, Ciemiewicz volunteer’s as the president of the school’s booster club — the Bruin Club. The Bruin Club was one of Valencia’s top priorities when he took the AD position in 2022. Previously, each team had their own booster club and Valencia said it was difficult for each individual program to maintain consistency year-to-year. The Bruin Club now serves as the schools main booster club and provides resources for each team.
The new equipment was delivered and the students took notice right away.
“The equipment wasn’t even off the truck and the students wanted to help get the equipment set up,” Valencia said. He credits the school’s custodial staff for assembly.
This is phase one of two for the athletics department, that plans to purchase brand new bars, bumper plates and benches to fulfill the potential of all teams and athletes.
“So [any team] from cross country to football to cheer they’re in there, which is pretty cool to see,” Valencia said.
The Bruins athletics department is planning to show their gratitude with a specially made banner that features the names of people and businesses who donated. Valencia added that this summer the athletics department is planning to revitalize the gymnasium with a fresh coat of paint, new banners and custom made roster boards, funded by the school district.
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