Covid-19 has presented a litany of challenges, and one of those challenges for our players has been the fact that it has forced them to adapt their training regimen. Gym closures and social distancing restrictions have resulted in players having to rely on their own creativity when trying to find the best ways to stay in shape for the much anticipated and upcoming season. While the Gold Diggers are slowly starting to return to normal training, our American imports are still having to overcome restrictions back in the states while we await their arrival.

In order to learn a bit more about how some of those players have adapted to the ongoing changes we took the time to sit down with Logan Dykstra, one of our American imports from Hull, Iowa. Logan is a versatile defensive lineman that has maintained an enthusiasm for training while trying to navigate the challenges associated with Covid-19. Shortly after the lockdown, Logan was able to piece together a small gym in his garage with some weights that he had in his basement. In addition to that, he took advantage of a grass field in his backyard and continued running and lifting with his younger brother who is also preparing for his own upcoming football season. He understands that being physically prepared for the season is an essential step in ensuring that he will be able to help the Gold Diggers achieve success, and for that reason he took it upon himself to find ways to accomplish that goal.

As time passes and we continue to see changes that signify that we are slowly returning to normal Logan’s enthusiasm for training has been steadily increasing. Only recently Logan’s gym has reopened, and after training in the freezing cold garage and running in his backyard through rain and snow for months, he is ecstatic to return to a normal gym. He has constantly been driven to arrive in the best shape that he has ever been in as a football player, and the steady return to normal life has helped him to do so. When asked about his thoughts on how Covid-19 has affected the season and his training he admits that, “While it certainly has been a sad and frustrating situation, it has helped him to appreciate what he has been missing out on over the past few months.”

Since signing with the Gold Diggers in February, he has been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to join the team in person and says, “I am super excited to join the team and to start learning from the players and coaches. In the future I want to have a career in coaching, and I know that this will be a valuable learning experience! I know that it is only a matter of time before I am able to join the team, and as time passes, my excitement only continues to grow!”

During the lockdown, he has had the opportunity to get to know his future teammates/coaches through various Zoom meetings and workouts. Those interactions have helped him to fall in love with the SGD culture and he hopes to build upon that culture when he arrives. “I have high expectations for the team this year, and I really believe that we will achieve something great this year. I am extremely excited for those upcoming successes this year and I can’t wait to share those successes with the team and the community. I look forward to seeing everyone at the Rundforbi! Go Gold Diggers!”

As the Gold Digger’s move forward with our preparations for our third Mermaid Bowl, we are excited to be back on the field practicing and returning to some normalcy. In the meantime, we eagerly await the arrival of Logan and our other American imports. We wish nothing but the best for all of our players, coaches, and fans, and we look forward to your continued support for the upcoming season! Go Gold Diggers Go!