By Chad Wingert (Contact / Staff Bio)

Originally published June 5, 2009, 05:29 p.m. EST. Updated June 5, 2009, 05:29 p.m. EST

SEBEWAING — At the professional ranks, these kinds of numbers might be questioned. But for this year’s USA softball team, everyone knows it is just hard work paying off.

But how do the Patriots pack so much power? It all lies in USAs weight room and the weightlifting class of Gary VanSumeren.

“USA’s sporting programs would not even be close to being as successful without his lifting program,” USA head softball coach Lary Houthoofd said. “It dosen’t matter what sport it is. If we didn’t have Coach V, we would just be a run-of-the-mill team in every sport.”

VanSumeren, a coach and teacher at USA for more than 20 years, has developed a weightlifting program at USA High School and is benefiting every class that walks through his gym. But VanSumeren claims that it is not just Patriot athletes who are benefiting from his class; the improvements are coming from students of all kinds.

“I see my class as a self-esteem booster. It’s not just athletes that come through my class, it’s a lot of non-athletes too,” VanSumeren said. “Out of 300 kids in this high school, I have about 200 in my classes, and they all work hard.”

VanSumeren stepped down as USA’s head football coach after the 2007 season, taking time to focus on his family and coach his three sons. However, his love for coaching and developing kids still shines bright.

“He has helped get us started the past few springs by donating his time and he just loves watching kids succeed,” Houthoofd said. “Not only is he an excellent coach and a close friend of mine, he is a very special teacher.”

VanSumeren’s results flow far outside the boundaries of the softball dugouts, still lingering onto the football field and basketball court. USA senior Evan Richardson can attest to the dedication and desire of VanSumeren, or “Coach V” as he is known around the hallways of USA high school. Richardson, a football and baseball player, credits Coach V for much of his success throughout his senior season.

“Coach V has taken me a long way,” Richardson said. “Not only has he made so much more faster and stronger, but he has helped me prepare for all kinds of game situations, and built up my work ethic.”

During his class on Mondays after football games, Richardson would often find himself going through steps of rehabilitating his body, and preparing for the next game.

“He always has some kind of stretch or exercise for whatever is hurting you,” Richardson said. “He is just an awesome guy. It’s so obvious that he cares about everyone. Boys and girls, athletes and non-athletes. He is great.”

With this year’s Patriot softball team on pace to shatter numerous records including most home runs and most doubles by a team in a season, it is hard for VanSumeren to take all the credit. After all, this is not the first time Houthoofd has had a successful year on the softball diamond.

“This group of girls are a special bunch. They may be very talented, but they are just your average kids,” VanSumeren said. “They all have fun personalities, they are very polite and exteremly appreciative of what we provide for them.”

Most of the time the opportunities are there, it just depends on the drive and determination of the athletes. That is one thing that Coach V finds so special about this year’s softball squad.

“This is just a great group of girls that have taken advantage of good opportunities,” VanSumeren said. “These seniors, I have had in class for four years. They are the ones putting in the hard work.”

VanSumeren has spent countless hours in the USA gym and even helped out with Essexville Garber’s football program, and still he says that nobody works harder than USA kids.

“I’ve been around to other schools and other programs, and our kids outwork anyone,” VanSumeren said. “When they are in the weight room, they are looking to improve. Yes, they may have a lot of god-given talent. But these kids want to take their talent to the next level.”

Houthoofd has seven seniors on this year’s squad, the most he has ever had in his four years as head softball coach at USA. And “Patriots Power” is starting to take center stage not only statewide, but nationwide as well.

USA currently sits at 51 home runs as a team, the best ever in the state and third best in the nation, as well as second in the state and nation for most doubles by a team with 92. And all of those hits produce plenty of runs, placing the Patriots second in the state with most RBI in a season at 352.

All of these records make the Patriots grin from ear to ear, but they still will not be satisfied with anything less than a state title this season. USA must win five more games until they make the trek to Battle Creek, a big task, but something Houthoofd says his squad can do, thanks to Coach V.

“These girls are having fun this year. The attitudes have changed from last year,” Houthoofd said. “These kids are not afraid of hard work because of what Coach V has taught them. They will stay accountable. That is one of the best assets that he brings to each program, he makes each kid accountable.”

After 35 games, the Patriots have produced 396 runs while holding their opponent to just 25, wowing their opponents at weekend tournaments and setting themselves up for a memorable postseason run.

“We go to tournaments and coaches come to me and ask who our weightlifting coach is,” Houthoofd said. “You watch these girls play and you can tell that they are putting the extra effort in. These kids are willing to work for him. Without his program, we have maybe half of these home runs.”

These records, for some, may play mind games throughout the season. But for USA senior pitcher Jillian Williamson, they push her to do better.

“The records are always in the back of your mind, they push you,” Williamson said. “You always want to set new records and you always want to be the best, so you constantly have to push yourself to do better.”

You will be sure to find VanSumeren roaming the sidelines of any field the Patriots travel to on their road to Battle Creek, along with the many other USA faithful. However, few can say that they have had the opportunity to watch these athletes grow like Coach V has.

“Watching these kids come through my class and through USA’s programs makes me very happy,” VanSumeren said. “It’s so nice to be able to watch these kids grow and progress through life.”

*** More on Chad's conversation with VanSumeren, Houthoofd and members of the USA softball team....

Gary VanSumeren

- What is one of the nicest parts of being able to teach and train these kids?

“Most kids in my class, I will see for four years, and if they start in middle school, some will go eight years.

These kids know that their hard work determines their success. They lift and train like athletes and we treat them like athletes.”

Lary Houthoofd

-Have most girls on your team experienced Coach V’s weight lifting class and programs?

“All of the girls on my team have been through his program for years now, and you can see it.”

- Seven seniors is a lot to lose next year, what will that be like?

“I’ve never had seven seniors before. I’ve never wanted to have seven seniors, but I was kind of forced into it with the caliber athletes these girls are.”

- On Coach V

“He also loves the kids who are underdogs. There will never be a kid with him that feels like they don’t have a chance. “

Dani Gremel

- What is it like to know that batters 1-9 have the ability to hit home runs?

“I think other teams struggle to pitch to us because our whole lineup can hit and hit well. We never have a doubt in anyone that is at the plate. It’s a great feeling.”

- On closing out her career as a Patriot, setting records and pushing deep into the postseason...

“It’s nice to go out on top. Other teams have set records before us, but it’s awesome because no other team has done it like this.”

Minda Martinez

- On VanSumeren’s weight lifting class...

“We always work hard when we are in Coach V’s class. He is always on us to get better, and if we are getting lazy, we hear about it.”

Carly Treiber

- What was one of the differences between last year’s team and this year’s?

“Last year we were an excellent hitting team, but this year we are way better. We lost some good hitters from last year, but now we have Jessica (Gremel) come up as a freshman and she is third on the team in home runs. Our lineup has a lot of big hitters.”

- On what VanSumeren has done for her and her athletic career at USA...

“He has helped us so much. He constantly works with us and always wants us to improve. During basketball season when I didn’t play, he constanly pushed me, telling me it was my offseason and and I needed to work that much harder.”

Jillian Williamson

- What is it like to know that batters 1-9 have the ability to hit home runs?

There is not an easy spot in our lineup. No defense can take a break when someone on our team is up to bat. You have to pitch 100% to everyone in our lineup.