By Beau Fairbanks’25
The Frederick Gunn School’s winter X-term program is preparing varsity athletes for collegiate success through an intensive Olympic-style training regimen under Coach Bannon’s leadership.
This winter, the group of students is made up of upperclassmen and one sophomore. This group stands out due to their powerful mindsets and eagerness to improve every day. These athletes want to take their athletic abilities to the next level. There are a total of 24 participants, 29 percent are committed to playing in college, 62 percent have college aspirations, and all 24 participants work out 6 hours a week in X term.
Typically, athletes have to prepare on their own for their next upcoming season. X-term guides athletes to their upcoming season. In X-term right now, there are multiple different students preparing for a spring sport. X-term helps these athletes dedicate their winter to their spring sport. Encouraging them to approach every workout with intent and determination. Leading to noticeable success for spring programs at Gunn.
The network met with Coach Bannon to ask him questions about this special group of athletes. He praised the overall energy of this term’s group stating, “The overall energy for winter x-term is really good. These athletes want to be in the space to learn and get better and are eager to develop into the best athletes they can be. They want to get better and enjoy the overall experience, which is fun for me too.” He then talked about the way X-term separates Gunn athletes from other schools, “Compared to athletes that are not preparing in the weight room, X-term athletes have a better chance of staying healthy, developing into a more well-rounded athlete, and preparing for the next level.”
At Gunn, X-term has had a significant impact on students’ performance on and off the field. Although the lifts and conditioning are mandatory for students, this group embraces these meetings. Granting athletes success when they make the best of their time in the weight room. An X-term athlete, Trey Lamay feels “Bannon will give you all the tools for success and the opportunity, but it really matters what you take out of it and what you put in. When vibes are high, workouts are greatly beneficial.” Coach Bannon gives these athletes every resource they need to be successful, and winter X-term has taken advantage of these opportunities. He instructs lift every day, and these athletes make his afternoons and evenings fun, which is truly special.
