Revamped weightlifting program has Allyson Compton and Munster ready for big things

Noah Bortle Last season’s work culminated in a 21-win, Northwest Crossroads Conference title-winning campaign for the Mustangs. After a loss in the sectional final to Lake Central, they’ll be looking for even more this year. Hebron held off a late Boone Grove run thanks in part to a clutch Spencer Wynsma 3-pointer to advance to […]

Last season’s work culminated in a 21-win, Northwest Crossroads Conference title-winning campaign for the Mustangs. After a loss in the sectional final to Lake Central, they’ll be looking for even more this year.

Hebron held off a late Boone Grove run thanks in part to a clutch Spencer Wynsma 3-pointer to advance to the sectional title game.

It’s not just quantity, however, the softball program is also a blueprint in quality. Edgerton uses “Munster Mentality” bracelets to highlight student-athletes who are exemplifying the qualities that he’s trying to encourage. In fact, he sees the habits and culture as a more important measurement than weight or strength.

“Man I’m just so proud of all these guys – from the guys who didn’t touch the floor to the guys who were on it. Every last one of them has something to do with this,” EC Central coach Alaa Mroueh said.

On Wednesday, Brian Jackson was the go-to guy Westville coach Kyle Sonaty expected, routinely finishing in the paint to score 17 points.

Griffith and East Chicago Central faced off Tuesday to tip off boys basketball postseason action.

By the second semester of the 2023-24 school year, Edgerton’s transformation of the Mustangs weight room was well underway — both operationally and physically. The school had made weights an in-school physical education class meaning athletes wouldn’t have to come in before or after school to get their workouts in. Edgerton had also applied for a number of grants, acquiring funds to revamp the workout space with new equipment.

Edgerton attests that Perez and her coaching staff have succeeded in getting softball players to commit to the new program. The numbers back it up as well. The softball program has the highest percentage of athletes participating of any sport at Munster.

That mindset means Compton wants to be even better this spring.

21st Century found its energy late in the game Friday, and it paid dividends as the Cougars will play for the chance to win their fourth straight sectional title Saturday.

Take a look back at a wild week of sectional play with all The Times’ coverage from the opening rounds of the postseason.

“Ally Compton, when you talk about leadership, when you talk about a student-athlete, when you talk about a high-caliber athlete, that’s your definition,” Edgerton said. “She does everything right. I have to give her a lot of credit because she’s a phenomenal athlete, she leads people by example and she works hard in the weight room.

It was Compton’s bat that got the attention of opposing players, coaches and fans, but the then-freshman also put up an impressive season in the pitcher’s circle. In 58 2/3 innings she struck out 78 batters with a 2.39 ERA. This season she’ll be asked to do more.

Alessandra Tovar, left, assists Munster softball sophomore Ally Compton in setting up for the trap bar dead lift exercises.

Before Edgerton took control, the onus to create strength and conditioning programs fell on coaches of individual sports. For head softball coach Jill Perez, that meant being not just a middle school teacher and a softball coach, but also a weightlifting coach. Now, all she has to worry about is whether or not her players are attending the workouts.

Kouts has faith in Billy Miller. Mustangs coach Kevin Duzan was ready to field a roster made entirely of upperclassmen before teammates vouched for Miller — a freshman.

“She’s the leader on the softball team because of those things — because of her work ethic, because of her attitude, because of her discipline.”

The Indians will return to the sectional championship for the first time since 2022 after a win over Chesterton Friday night.

It may seem nearly impossible coming from a player that slashed .435/.518/1.000 with 36 RBIs as a freshman but count out Compton at your own risk.

East Chicago pulled away from an upset-minded Griffith side to win its sectional opener.

Most importantly, they’re going to be better today than they were yesterday and are going to be better tomorrow than they are today.

There were seven sectional finals Saturday night featuring local teams looking to punch their ticket to the regional round.

The power surge didn’t come out of nowhere. The Mustangs hired Riley Edgerton last school year to overhaul the athletic department’s strength and conditioning program. So far, he’s done just that.

The Mustangs share a sectional with perennial powers in Lake Central and Crown Point, but they also know they belong amongst those teams. Their strength of schedule ranks in line with or higher than those schools.

Kouts faced off with Marquette Catholic and Tri-Township played Westville in sectional games Wednesday.

That’s where Edgerton’s strength and condition program will come in.

“It’s definitely helped a lot with our skills and our strength,” Compton said. “Obviously we’re producing a lot more home runs than any other school in our area… Not just strength-wise and producing power, but we’re producing speed and we’re quick to the ball. I’ve seen overall improvement throughout the year from all of our athletes in the program.”

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21st Century played Andrean and Boone Grove played host Hebron for trips to a sectional championship game.

Compton has been the poster child for what Edgerton’s program is hoping to do.

“We weren’t going home without a net,” Sam Wellman said. Portage’s senior class knows what basketball means to the city. On Saturday, it gave the Indians their first sectional title in 24 years.

The 2025 IHSAA boys basketball sectionals are underway. Teams across Northwest Indiana are vying for spots in the sectional semifinals, with dreams of hoisting trophies.