With the winter sports season underway, the West Salem athletics department introduced the very first CAT program for the winter on November 16. The CAT program, which stands for conditioning and training, is a program designed to allow students without much lifting experience an opportunity to use the weight room. “Looking at the last couple of years of how we were running programs, I thought we were significantly wasting potential for those kids that weren’t in a winter sport, to get some stuff done,” says Mr. Seibert, the main CAT instructor. Since its start, the CAT program has become popular with many students. “I love getting my day started that way and I’ve gained a lot of muscle being in that program,” says Logan Oldenburg. Like Logan, many people go to the weight room to get their day started. Due to the popularity of the summer and winter programs, the program will also spread into the spring. This is expected to be a better season for students new to the weight room because many athletes are planning on being in spring sports. “I don’t expect huge numbers, but I want to still give that option for kids to come in and work out,” says Siebert. Conditioning and training is open for every student who chooses not to participate in sports.