West Washington is proud to spotlight our Advanced Physical Education (APE) Program and the benefits it provides to our Senator students.
\r\nWest Washington is fortunate to offer seven periods of APE. These course offerings include (4) coed high school classes, (1) all girl high school class, and (2) junior high classes. There are a total of 159 (100 boys and 59 girls) students working out everyday during the school day in our APE classes.
\r\nAlong with their abundant course offerings, West Washington’s commitment to APE is impressive by their investment in multiple staff members and top notch facilities. APE instruction is led by Coach Duane Nance, Coach Jeremy Lowery, and PE Assistant Lynne Moore. They have the privilege of providing instruction in state of the art facilities, including the 10,000 square foot turfed Phillip Bowsman Athletic Complex, as well as in the more recently renovated top notch weight room.
\r\nSenator Students taking APE train daily on skills to enhance athletic performance including strength training, speed and agility training, and flexibility training. This program is designed to give student-athletes the opportunity for physical development throughout the school day, giving these athletes more time after school for academics and sport participation.
\r\nAlong with athletic performance, APE is a great opportunity for students to improve team building and leadership skills. APE class is very much like being part of a team and is unique in the fact that it brings student-athletes together that might not normally participate together in a common sport. Students are taught to set goals, work outside of their comfort zone, and how to motivate their peers.
\r\nOur Senator coaches and athletes are very excited and passionate about the results, as well as the possibilities of APE. This is apparent to recognize when you hear the great feedback from the program:
\r\n“I am extremely proud of our Advanced PE program and how much it has grown over the last decade. In 2011, we made a concerted effort to expand our Strength & Conditioning program and have experienced unprecedented success in our athletics programs ever since. In the last decade, our athletic teams have won 14 conference titles, 15 sectional titles, 7 regional titles and countless individual athlete recognitions. The facilities that we have available to utilize at West Washington are second to none and I believe that our strength and conditioning program combined with the facilities makes our Advanced PE program one of the best in the state. The fact that our program has led to so much athletic team success and prepared our athletes to compete at the next level including two D1 football players is the true testament to the impact of our Advanced PE program.” - APE Instructor, Head Track Coach, and Varsity Assistant Football Coach, Duane Nance
\r\n“I really enjoy Advanced PE because it allows a break in my academic day and the opportunity to work on something physical. It is my only non dual credit class so I like being able to workout and have a fun class to break up my day. I also really enjoy the competition aspect of the class. It has definitely built up my confidence and that transfers over to the sports I play. I also feel like the strength and speed I’ve developed in APE has helped make me a better athlete.” - Senior, Aynsley Nance
\r\n“The strength and conditioning classes have helped the wrestling program immensely. The main focus for wrestling practice is learning technique, drilling moves, and wrestling live. We do daily strength exercises that are sport specific to wrestling, but we do not set aside time to go to the weight room. The fact that our wrestlers are getting stronger with the specific lifts they are doing is a direct reflection to the vision that Coach Nance and Coach Lowery have for creating well rounded stronger athletes at West Washington. I am very excited to see the progress of the 7th and 8th graders when they become high school age and the power indexes they grow.” - Head Wrestling Coach, Dennis Tankersley
\r\n“Advanced PE made me a better individual on and off the court. The class taught me to be physically strong and mentally tough. I learned to push myself further than I ever knew I could be pushed. I strongly believe that APE gave me the ability to hold multiple school records and be one of only two girls basketball players to ever reach the 1000-point club. The physical strength that I developed in APE is the reason I was able to extend my shooting range, attack the defense and finish at the rim. APE allowed me to rebound and defend some of the biggest girls on the court. APE taught me the importance of mental toughness, during games where the other schools were quitting. My team and I were able to use our determination and reach the goals we wanted to achieve. The ability to take APE as a freshman allowed me to be able to play against juniors and seniors and compete my freshman year. Now that I am a coach I can see the difference between players taking the class and those who are not. I will continue to push my athletes to participate in APE because I know personally the effect APE can have on a student-athlete.” - 2020 WWHS Graduate and Varsity Assistant Girls Basketball Coach, Rian Russell
\r\n“Translating from high school to college football was difficult on the field but I always felt prepared in the weight room. Coach Nance’s strength and conditioning program prepared me both physically and mentally to perform in the weight room and on the field at the collegiate level and I wouldn’t have played college sports without Coach Nance in the weight room.” - 2020 WWHS Graduate, Caleb Murphey
\r\n“I am very impressed and encouraged with the past and present state of our APE program at West Washington. Adding junior high courses in 2021 and the weight room renovation in 2022 are examples of the commitment that has been made to this program. The ability for our student-athletes to train during the school day is huge for us and really supports our beliefs in supporting multi-sport athletes. Building a championship culture that embraces hard work and competition is something that I am passionate about. Having a great weight room program that fosters this culture is vital to the success of our sports programs. I am proud to be a part of this program and look forward to seeing the team and individual accomplishments that are in store for our athletes as we move forward.” - APE Instructor and Head Football Coach, Jeremy Lowery
