Even on days when there’s not practice, offensive lineman Darren Marquez can be found in the Recreation Center working out.

Marquez, a senior, said he’s trying to reach personal goals, which includes increasing the 400 pounds he can already bench press.

During the summer, Salukis practice independently every day, and three times a week they lift weights in an effort to prepare for the upcoming season.

Strength and conditioning coach Eric Klein said the team works on drills that are mainly geared toward speed and agility. These exercises include tire pulls and resistance runs.

Klein has run the conditioning drills for the summer because I-AA rules prohibit head coaches from being at practice.

“My goal is always to get the team in the best possible shape that they can be in,” Klein said.

Robert Reeves, the running back coach, and head coach Jerry Kill said while they haven’t been present during training and workouts, they trust that Klein is keeping the team in shape.

“From what I’ve heard, so far it’s been a great summer,” Reeve said. “Coach Klein has been pushing them harder than he ever has, so we’re very pleased on how things are going.”

Marquez has been working hard during the summer. He takes the initiative to lift every day, instead of the required three times a week.

“It’s something that’s instilled in me,” he said. “If there’s not practice, I’ll go work out on my own.”

The 6-foot-4-inch senior said the workouts help improve his game. He said one of his other goals for the summer is to get his weight up to 300 pounds.

“If I’m going to gain weight, I want to do it the right way,” he said. “I don’t want to just gain fat.”

Marquez isn’t the only player trying to get better. Fred Wright, a junior, received a football scholarship at the end of last season. This is his first semester working out with the team.

Wright said he’s been learning the way the team functions and he is working hard to get an outside linebacker position.

“We do our pass plays and we do our coverage plays without any of the coaches there,” he said. “We just have fun and teach the new freshmen our offense and defense.”

Wright said he is optimistic about his progress so far this summer.

“I think I’ve been doing OK,” he said. “I’m still learning but I feel like I’m improving,”

Daily Egyptian writer Alejandro Gonzalez can be reached at 536-3311 ext 256 or at [email protected].