Last newsletter, I acknowledged a few of our athletes that had received end of the year accolades for their particular sport. Recently, in the last month, I have read about several of them in the Dispatch and so I wanted to further discuss some of the success they have been having.
The simple answer to the question I asked is that these athletes aren't satisfied with their god given talent. They want to better themselves, improve their weaknesses, reach their optimum potential. Because if they don't, some feel their competition will take advantage of programs such as us and get the better of them.
Here are some of the athletes that have worked with us in the past that I have read about recently and what they were able to do with us:
• Jack Gibbs is a sophomore at Westerville North. Over the weekend, he scored 34 points for the Warriors. Jack participated in our entire speed program as an eighth grader. He is a point guard who wanted to improve his technique and overall quickness, skills essential to blow by defenders in basketball.
• Alex Radkiewicz is a sophomore at Olentangy Liberty. Last night he scored 3 points in their varsity game. Alex worked on his lateral quickness and explosion off the floor as he plays an undersized 4 position in the OCC. He wanted to develop these other vital skills to compensate for the lack of size he might have to contend with his opponents at the 4 spot.
• Heather Laueffer is a sophomore at Pickerington North who played goalie for her state runner-up soccer team. Having heard about us through her sister, Linda (a fine softball player in her own right), Heather developed her quickness and explosiveness at a position that demands it.
• Jordan Gallegos and Bryant Bednerak were the starting running back and quarterback for New Albany's playoff bound football team. Both participated in our full program as sophomores to set the stage for big improvements in running form, speed, and quickness.
• Morgan Reichert is a senior at Watkins Memorial. She worked with us two years ago, to help improve her strength and explosiveness for cross country. It helped for her kicks that she needs during the race, especially at the end. This year she was a state qualifier. AWESOME!
• Amber Stokes was written up in the paper recently as she recovered from a bout of mono. She currently is a redshirt sophomore for the OSU Lady Buckeyes. Her, her older sister, and younger brother worked with us for a couple years, to help improve their already fine athletic skills.
• Courtney Deena is a sophomore at Columbus Academy who plays field hockey for them. Courtney was a big contributor on a team that experienced their first loss in the state final four. She worked worked with us several years back at the time trying to refine her quickness and speed for soccer. As she switched sports later on, it was a smooth transition due to the similar athletic demands of the two sports.
Do I think we are the sole reason these athletes have had success? Absolutely not! I think we are just one piece of the puzzle for them. A good athlete realizes there is always constant work he/she needs to do to refine their game. Never be satisfied with where you are. That separates the good from the great.
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