Watertown High School graduate (2017) and South Shore native Spencer Waege is heading to the Canadian Football League this fall to play for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats!
As Spencer prepares to join the Tiger-Cats as a Defensive Lineman, over the spring he’s been training with Prairie Lakes Strength & Conditioning Coach Aaron Jung. Spencer understands the biggest gains can be made in the offseason when you can dedicate time and energy to strength and conditioning while perfecting his craft. He recently explained, “Aaron has trained me to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than ever. Hitting numbers I’ve never come close to in a weight room before. Training with [Aaron] has put me in the best spot to be successful this season.”
When asked what his main focus was this spring while training Spencer leading up to his CFL debut, Aaron replied, “Keeping him ready, so he doesn't have to get ready! Fine tuning things now that we had a little more time for an extensive off-season training block.” Aaron added, “Managing or maintaining his bodyweight was important. In case he was asked to switch positions from interior defensive line or playing defensive end. I’m always looking for ways to improve strength, speed, and power. Once you are already a gifted individual, the needs analysis becomes staying ready.
Training Student-Athletes Just Like the Professionals 
Aaron brings the same basic principles he uses for high-performance athletes to the Prairie Lakes Summer Strength Program. He shared, “Athletes that are a little more advanced don't need fancy things to improve their performance, they need time to polish their already high-level skills. Keep exercises simple.”
As a strength and conditioning coach working primarily with high school athletes, Aaron knows firsthand the struggle and pressure put on these student-athletes. He advises, “Keep working! A lot of times, young athletes feel like they must keep up with the latest training fad and see all the social media stuff. People that reach a professional level started out not as professional athletes. There was a great amount of time, sacrifice and commitment to improving their craft.”
Spencer also added his own advice for young student-athletes, “Make a commitment and not be scared of it. Everyone has to start somewhere and if you want to perform to your highest [level] in your sport you need to be training and competing with yourself.”
If your student athlete could benefit from this level of training during their offseason this summer, registration is now open for the 2025 Prairie Lakes Summer Strength Program. An 8-week strength and conditioning program that focuses on speed, strength, and agility to optimize sports performance and prevent injuries. Session are being offered in Watertown and Castlewood for students entering grades 7-12 in addition to college-level athletes with signed letters of intent. Sessions will start Monday, June 2nd.
Register Your Student-Athlete for Summer Strength Today!
Spencer feels so thankful for his hometown support and knowing his training community is behind him as he takes this next step. He shared, “It means a lot. My journey through this has been up and down so knowing I have so many people supporting me no matter what has meant the world to me.”
Good luck, Spencer – your Prairie Lakes family is cheering you on!
