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Youth Sports Magazine serving Coweta County, Ga.
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June/July 2012FREE
Youth Sports MagazineN e w n a n • S h a r p s b u r g • S e n o i a
Grantville•Moreland
GAME DAY
TM
Georgia Female & Male Athlete of the
Year, Both from Coweta County!
Coweta’s Courageous Champions!
9
All-American Doctors
New Office in Peachtree City
Doctors and Former All-American Athletes
Dr. George BallantyneDr. Michael CushingDr. Michael GruberDr. Chad Kessler
Dr. Jayson McMathDr. Jack Powell III
Georgia Bone and Joint is your source for the complete spectrum of musculoskeletal care. We offer patients board certified physicians and surgeons who are specialty trained in spine, hand, sports medicine, shoulder, pedi-atrics, and total joints.
Our state-of-the-art facility provides the most modern diagnostic and therapeutic technol-ogy and equipment. Our Summit location in-cludes an on-site outpatient surgery center. Georgia Bone and Joint offers an orthopaedic continuum of care unmatched in the south metro and west Georgia areas.
Affiliated With
4000 Shakerag HillPeachtree City, GA 30269
770-626-5340
The Summit Healthplex1755 Highway 34 East
Newnan, GA 30265770-502-2175
www.georgiaboneandjoint.org
Former All-American Athletes
9
All-American Doctors
New Office in Peachtree City
Doctors and Former All-American Athletes
Dr. George BallantyneDr. Michael CushingDr. Michael GruberDr. Chad Kessler
Dr. Jayson McMathDr. Jack Powell III
Georgia Bone and Joint is your source for the complete spectrum of musculoskeletal care. We offer patients board certified physicians and surgeons who are specialty trained in spine, hand, sports medicine, shoulder, pedi-atrics, and total joints.
Our state-of-the-art facility provides the most modern diagnostic and therapeutic technol-ogy and equipment. Our Summit location in-cludes an on-site outpatient surgery center. Georgia Bone and Joint offers an orthopaedic continuum of care unmatched in the south metro and west Georgia areas.
Affiliated With
4000 Shakerag HillPeachtree City, GA 30269
770-626-5340
The Summit Healthplex1755 Highway 34 East
Newnan, GA 30265770-502-2175
www.georgiaboneandjoint.org
Former All-American Athletes
Letter from the Publisher GAME DAYTM Youth Sports Magazine
PUBLISHERTom DeBole
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ryan Post Ryan Gloer
Ragan Whitlock Jherine Wilkerson
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Tom DeBoleSusan CrutchfieldStephanie Weston
ADVERTISINGKelly DeBoleBrian Wilson
CONTACT GAME DAY3159 East Highway 34
Suite 209 PMB#119Newnan, GA 30265
770-683-1142
Game Day Youth Sports Magazine is not responsible for the return of submitted photography, artwork, or manuscripts and will not be responsible for holding
fees or similar charges.
© Game Day Youth Sports Magazine 2012
Game Day Youth Sports Magazine is published 11 times a year. All contents are copyrighted by Game
Day Youth Sports Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine, including publisher-
designed advertisements, may be copied, scanned, or reproduced in any manner without prior consent from the publisher. Unauthorized user will be billed
appropriately for such use.
I am very happy to publish Game Day™ Magazine for the youth athletes and families in Coweta County. Game Day™ is a community based publication that will focus on the youth athletes in our county, from our recreational leagues, middle school programs, as well as all 6 local high schools.
I have been involved in youth sports since the age of five. My experience in sports are as a player, a parent, recreational coach, travel team coach, high school coach as well as running youth sports programs for a
non-for profit for over 15 years. Growing up in Western New York, I played many organized team sports such as baseball, soccer, golf, skiing, football, and lacrosse. I have coached high school lacrosse as well as youth soccer, basketball, baseball, and football.
I live in Newnan with my beautiful wife Kelly and our three boys Jay, Brian, and Owen. Our boys stay busy throughout the year playing youth football, high school lacrosse and now our son Jay is playing Division I college lacrosse for Mercer University.
We have some very skilled and talented youth athletes here in Coweta County and I am very excited to highlight many of them throughout the year.
Game Day Magazine is a local publication relying solely on sponsorships and advertising for publication costs. Game Day™ is available free of charge each month at numerous locations throughout the county.
Tom D eBo l e
STUDENT SUMISSIONSPlayer Talk – Students can submit stories from their point of view as an athlete. These personal essays can tell of a sports memory, describe what you have learned playing a sport, or any humorous, inspirational or fun sports related story. Include name, age and school you attend. [email protected]
CLIPBOARD EVENTSSend upcoming events in Coweta County, sign-ups for recreational leagues, fundraising/charitable events or other programs of interest to youth athletes. Must be sent at least one month prior to the date of event to [email protected]
SUBMISSIONSReaders are encouraged to send in photos, stories, upcoming sporting events, and any other submission you would like to see on the pages of this magazine. [email protected]
PHOTOSSend action shots or “fans in the stands’” to [email protected]. Note what the photos cover and provide names if you would like.
STORIESDo you have a story idea? Send story ideas or written stories to [email protected]. Story possibilities include:Inspirational storiesThe story behind an athleteA “where are they now?”Coach’s cornerStories on healthy living and active lifestyles
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“The only disability in life is a bad attitude,” says Scott Hamilton, Olympic Gold Medalist. He captured the Gold Medal in Men’s Figure Skating in 1984. He is known around the world for his charismatic attitude on and off the ice. Hamilton has daringly performed back-flips and entertained millions with his unforgettable performances on the ice.
Hamilton currently has a new role; he sits on the Board of Directors for the Special Olympics. He volunteers with business and sports leaders, professional athletes, educators and experts in the field of intellectual disabilities from around the world.
In those few words, he perfectly describes the founder of the Special Olympics, the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Shriver, the fifth of nine children born to Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy had a close relationship with her older sister Rosemary. Born in 1918, Rosemary was socially “awkward” and later went on to become withdrawn from society. Shriver continued to advocate for the intellectually impaired. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. On March 24, 1984,
President Ronald Reagan awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, for her dedicated service to others.
Discouraged with how persons with intellectual disabilities were treated, she grew determined to see all people compete in athletic sport. Despite the turmoil of the late 1960’s, she held a summer day camp in her own backyard to see first-hand the talents of these young people.
On July 20, 1968, just seven weeks after her younger brother, Robert, was tragically gunned down, a courageous Shriver opened the first Special Olympic Games at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.
She read these words, “Let me win, but it I cannot win, let me brave in the attempt.” These words still serve as the oath that every athlete speaks today. Her vision was great, her dream beneficial, her work unforgettable and her love for people, unwavering.
Coweta County has seen many of its own athletes compete in the Special Olympic Games over the past several years. This year, two of our own student athletes, received the Games top honor. The 2012 Special Olympic
Coweta’s Courageous Champions
Georgia Female Athlete of the Year was awarded to Montana Bush, a six-teen year old junior from East Coweta High School. Jimpson Rosser, an eight-teen year old senior at Newnan High School, took the Special Olympic Male Athlete of the Year. Kelly Abercrombie, Coweta County Special Olympics Coordinator, nominated these two deserving athletes.
“I am extremely proud of Jimpson and Montana for their accomplishments on and off the field. They are shining examples of quality student athletes in Coweta County,” says Associate Superintendent of Coweta County Schools, Dr. Marc Guy.
“Montana is a high school athlete that epitomizes the spirit of a true winner by her willingness to always give her best effort and help others, while displaying outstanding courage and sportsmanship,” says Abercrombie. She has trained and competed in track and field, bocce, basketball skills, softball skills, cycling, bowling, cheerleading, aquatics and gymnastics.
“We named her Montana after the state where we had enjoyed so many fantastic outdoor activities,” says her mother, Teresa Bush. Her family lovingly calls her , Tana.
“At six months old, Tana underwent surgery to repair three holes in her heart. We thought this would be the biggest challenge Tana would face, but little did we know what was to
come,” says her mother.
“Around fifteen months old, her limited vocabulary of ‘mama, dada, and bye-bye’ ceased almost over- night, “ says Teresa. “I had never heard the word autism, but I became quickly educated and I sought any information on the subject,” she says.
Tana continued to grow into a beautiful, curly haired toddler, but her communication was limited to grunting noises and pointing to
what she wanted.
“I was deeply discouraged and exhausted with the daily requirements of raising an autistic child, but I knew God had a plan,” Teresa remembers.
Teresa recalls overcoming an early obstacle with her daughter.
“One day, while serving chocolate ice cream to her dad, she grunted her desire for some. I simply, but firmly told her to say “ice cream.” She refused with an angry grunt. I firmly told her she had to say the words. I was determined that with God’s strength she would say the words I so deeply needed to hear. She continued to grunt, made animated gestures, and screamed, but I was determined. This had to be the most painful experience of my life, but I continued. After she
watched me eat almost an entire bowl of ice cream and asking her to say “ice cream” with each spoonful that went to my mouth, she finally screamed...”I want ice cream.”
The past several years have seen Tana grow and mature into a competitive, decorated athlete. On the state level, she has received two gold medals and 1 silver medal in cycling; two gold medals and one silver in aquatics; and a gold medal in bowling. On the local level, she holds two gold medals and three silver medals in cheerleading.
“Tana and I have shared many tears of happiness and sadness in our lives since that bowl of ice
cream and it is not uncommon for me today to shed a tear of happiness when I serve her a big bowl of her favorite treat.” Teresa added
Her trophy case now overflows with awards and ribbons from various events including Long Jump, 100
Georgia Female Athlete of the Year, Montana Bush, a junior from East Coweta High
School.
Meter Dash, Softball Throw, and Basketball.
Her coaches have honored her accomplishments by awarding her the 2011 Coaches Award in Cheerleading and the 2009-10 Outstanding Sportsmanship Award. Tana’s electric smile and bubbly personality make her a favorite among her peers.
“If I had to say one thing about Tana, it would be that she is the person who personifies what Special Olympics is all about,” states Abercrombie.
Tana clinched the 2nd r u n n e r - u p title last year c o m p e t i n g in the “Miss ECHS Indian P r i n c e s s P a g e a n t ” n a m i n g S p e c i a l Olympics as her charity of choice.
“Tana and I are proud of her
accomplishments. We thank Coweta County Special Olympics for giving her this honor.” Teresa willingly shares her story with anyone who may ask. She offers this advice, “ Know that through God, all things are possible. Know your child. Be strong for them, stand up for them, speak for them, but most importantly, teach them. We cherish the precious gift of Tana and we look forward to what
is to come.”
“I would like to congratulate Tana and Jimpson on receiving these two honors. Tana and Jimpson are both shining examples of courageous accomplishment in athletics through faith in God, determination, and the support of family. We are all fortunate to have been influenced by their achievements,” says Dr. Steve Barker, Superintendent of Coweta County Schools.
Receiving the 2012 Special Olympic Male Athlete of the Year, Jimpson Rosser is an accomplished athlete. He has been a registered athlete with Coweta County Special Olympics since he became eligible while in elementary school.
“He gives his best while displaying outstanding courage and
sportsmanship. Jimpson is a leader in the classroom, church and the playing arena,” says Abercrombie.
Jimpson, while very competitive, always offers his congratulations to those who have beaten him and offers a “good job” to those who have not. He offers praise and kind words to his fellow athletes and is always willing to aid his teammates whenever needed.
Jimpson has competed in a variety of sports on the local and state
level. These sports include: track and field, bocce, b o w l i n g , b a s k e t b a l l , gymnas t i cs , cycling, and softball skills. He works hard in training and preparing for his sport. He works equally as hard while in the classroom.
“As the local c o o r d i n a t o r it has been a joy to see him mature and grow into a fine young
man as well as a good athlete,”
adds Abercrombie.
Jimpson recently competed in the 2012 State Summer Games at Emory University. On Friday evening, Jimpson greeted the law enforcement officers at their official Torch Run Dinner.
“Special Olympics has taught me so much and given me the chance to do so many things,” Jimpson
Georgia Male Athlete of the Year, Jimpson Rosser, a senior from Newnan High School.
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While at the games, Jimpson competed in the 100 Meter Dash and the Running Long Jump.
Among his many accomplishments, Jimpson became a licensed driver this year. He can now drive himself to his events. His grandmother, Martha Houston, has always been a constant in his life. She has led him to a close relationship with God and nurtured his musical talents. He sings and plays the keyboard at his church as well as at special events. Her dedication to Jimpson is evident on and off the field. He has grown into an accomplished young man.
While the main focus of the Special Olympics remain on the athletes, there are many people involved in making dreams come true for these exceptional young men and women.
“The Knights of Columbus Organization #6622 was nominated for the Special Olympics Georgia
Distinguished Service Award. This group of volunteers has gone above and beyond the call of your average volunteer group as they have provided outstanding year-round support to the Coweta County Special Olympics,” Abercrombie proudly adds.
This group of young at heart gentlemen have made Special Olympics a priority on their list of volunteer activities. They have participated on every level, spreading compassion and humor to all they meet.
“They dedicate their time and energy to make our program
a success each year,” says Abercrombie.
Volunteers, educators, teachers, parents and students come out to support these talented athletes. Kelly Abercrombie, Coweta County’s local Coordinator, says
she is overwhelmed with the support for her local athletes.
A vision that started with one woman, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, has grown into a reality for many young men and women eager to compete as equals on the field of competition. Their dedication to training is evident from the sweat on their brow
and their desire to win is reflected in their eyes as they focus on the prize. Eager to have the chance to share their skill, compete with their peers and challenge themselves, they are athletes. Win or lose, they give their best to their sport, honoring those who have helped make their Olympic dreams come true.
Spine & Nerve Injuries in Sports.Dr. Chad Kessler M.D. Georgia Bone and Joint
While most nerve injuries that are sports related occur in contact sports, all types of athletes are at risk. The most common areas involved are the neck and shoulder regions. Spinal cord injuries must be differentiated from nerve injuries, also known as burners or stingers that involve brachial plexus (the collection of nerves in the upper shoulder region, near the neck). The need for immediate evaluation and treatment varies greatly between these two entities.
The “stinger” or “burner” was named for the pain, tingling and burning that are experienced in an athlete’s arm after a traumatic event that
usually involved a strike to the head by another player, a wall or a mat. The strike to the head causes a sudden lateral movement that stretches the nerves and nerve roots of the brachial plexus. Immediate or delayed weakness can occur but is usually temporary. The athlete can only return to competition after an evaluation by a qualified trainer or physician has determined that all
symptoms have resolved. Continued tingling, weakness or pain with range of motion in the neck or arm signal a need for further evaluation and the athlete should not return to play at that time. Treatment involves initial rest followed by appropriately directed physical therapy until resolution of all symptoms. Most stingers are experienced by high school football players. Prevention is difficult but involves a neck/trapezial strengthening program, proper tackling techniques and supportive neck and shoulder gear (i.e. cowboy collar). Athletes that experience recurrent stingers should have a MRI of the cervical spine to demonstrate if any significant abnormalities exist.
Significant degenerative changes or stenosis may require permanent removal from participation in contact sports.
Stingers by definition are unilateral in nature and involve only one extremity. They must be differentiated from much more serious injuries involving the spinal cord. Athletes who present with bilateral upper or lower extremity symptoms are more likely to have sustained an injury to the spinal cord. Neck tenderness or severe pain and spasm that
are accompanied by numbness or weakness in the extremities require immediate immobilization with a cervical collar and backboard along with transportation to a hospital emergency room for imaging studies and evaluation.
Cervical spine injuries are actually quite common in high school sports and range from cervical sprains to
catastrophic complete spinal cord injuries. Specific conditions include stenosis (small spinal canal), herniated disc, fractures and transient quadriplegia. Stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal can predispose an athlete to permanent spinal cord injury and requires a careful evaluation and counseling with the athlete and family to assess risks of continued participation in sports. A herniated disc is rare in this age population but can also lead to neurologic deficits if not treated appropriately. Fractures of the spine are also rare but are such a devastating injury that the rules of tackling in football have been changed in an attempt to reduce the risk of fractures. The use of a player’s helmet to tackle has been outlawed. Transient quadriplegia is characterized by burning, tingling and numbness in the arms and legs with associated weakness. Symptoms usually resolve in 10 to 15 minutes but can last up to 48 hours in rare instances. Detailed evaluation including an MRI scan should be undertaken before return to competition is allowed.
The incidence of true spinal cord injury in the high school age population is about 1 in 100,000. Most of these injuries are incomplete with preservation of some degree of neurologic function. Brachial plexus injuries are more common but usually result in a full recovery. It is imperative to distinguish between these two distinct entities and an evaluation by a qualified spine specialist is needed if any questions exist regarding an athlete’s ability to safely return to play.
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Seated from left are: (head basketball coach) Chip McAllister, (mother) Andrea Kessler, Houston Kessler and (father) Chad Kessler
Coweta’s Houston Kessler, Headed to University of Georiga to play Basketball.
Game DayQ&
AWhat are you looking forward to
most this summer??
Brentage 10
I can’t wait to spend the 4th of July with my
cousins.
Tylerage 10
I am looking forward to hanging out with my cousins this summer. They are a lot of fun.
Ryanage 13
I am going to ride my dirt bike everyday this
summer.
Joshage 18
I am looking forward to graduation, a week at the beach with my girl friend and going in the army…in
that order.
Ravenage 5
I am going to Texas and I am going to ride a horse
with my mommy.
Alexage 6 1/2
I can’t wait to go to California with just my
grandma. Just the two of us are going.
Jakeage 10
This summer I am go-ing to become a certified Tae Kwan Do National
Master.
Masonage 10
I am going camping and I love camping. I am go-ing fishing too. I also got
a new go cart and can’t wait to ride this summer.
Owenage 11
Going whitewater rafting and mt. biking in
Colorodo.
Mayleighage 9
Mostly I am looking forward to going to Buffalo NY. We are moving there soon.
Lukeage 14
I am hanging out with my friends all summer. We are staying up all
night.
Baileighage 9
I am looking forward to going to the beach a lot. We go to Panama Beach
every summer.
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A Word from Gloer
Totally Committed“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” [Romans 12:2]
The New Year has finally arrived! We all have resolutions that we are eager to put into action. But, what is going to keep you from fulfilling that commitment this year? Time and time again, year after year, people have shared with me numerous accounts of how things were going so well, yet something somehow stepped in and sidetracked them.
This seems to be a common issue in the life of a Christian. So many times we say one thing, but our actions prove otherwise. God calls us to live at a much higher standard. Chip Ingram once said, “TOTAL COMMITMENT is the channel through which God’s biggest and best blessings flow.” What a powerful truth. When we fully commit ourselves to Him and His purposes, we will experience the fullness and abundance of his plan.
Last year I spoke to a group of high school students about the whole idea of being totally committed. When the night was
coming to a close, an adult leader stepped up and explained that he was going to pass around an offering bucket. A little bit out of the ordinary for a student ministry event, however, they responded with a fervent attitude. I stood in the back and watched from a distance. Multiple students were yanking out their wallets and throwing in a few dollars here and one dollar bills there. As this was taking place, a student with special needs was patting down his pockets searching for something to give. He pulled out a few pennies from his shirt pocket. He held them in his hand and intentionally stared at them for a few minutes. I could tell that he was thinking hard about it. He walked over and placed his coins in the bucket. It occurred to me that this kid just gave everything he had.
The Lord shared with me a perfect picture of his love as I watched this student selflessly give to the point that it hurt. Jesus Christ was willing to lay down his life at all costs. His level of commitment was and is the perfect example of what it means to fully surrender yourself for a greater cause. Christians are called to “not
conform any longer to the pattern of this world”. We can fill our minds with the world, whose temptations so easily ensnare us, or we can fill our mind with the Word, which transforms every aspect of our lives.
If you want to see the results you hoped for, it’s going to cost you something. “I think that the good and the great are only separated by the willingness to sacrifice.” [Kareem Abdul Jabbar]. In 2011, you can be good or great; the choice is yours. What sacrifices are you willing to make?
Ryan Gloer is the Campus Director for
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
SG17N, SG18N, SG19N, SG20N, SG21N
As a long time resident and volunteer for SummerGrove, I focus a great deal of my time and energy on our wonderful community. I welcome any opportunity to work with you in selling, leasing, short selling, or just advising you on your home.
SCOTT COSBY—THE COSBY TEAM2010 REALTOR OF THE YEAR 2010 PRESIDENT—BOARD OF REALTORS
678-378-8452 • [email protected] and Short Sale SpecialistTammy Manint (Client Relations) 678-731-6974
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The Cosby Team wishes to thank and congratulate all those volunteers, coaches, players, and other supporters of our rich Coweta County athletic programs.
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“ E n v i s i o n i n g Yo u r ( Pe r f e c t ) G a m e”
By Ryan Post
“Practice makes perfect,” or as some may say, “perfect practice makes perfect.” How athletes prepare for sports, both physically and mentally, helps to determine their overall achievement in the sport.
The U.S. Olympic Committee has a commercial that is airing now with a voice-over from the athletes as they talk about “seeing” themselves winning. Whether it’s the gymnast, swimmer, wrestler, or sprinter, each of these athletes understands the importance of taking the time to focus on the mental aspect of the sport. Envisioning yourself doing those things that are necessary to win as part of your preparation
strategy is indispensable. Yogi Berra said it best when he said, “Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical.”
The long-jumper closes his eyes just before he begins his run and makes the jump in his own mind. The wrestler sees himself taking the perfect shot for a takedown. How many times do you think the gymnast thinks about hitting the springboard perfectly on the vault?
What each of these athletes has in common is that when they envision themselves performing, what they visualize is perfect. The long-jumper doesn’t scratch, the wrestler shoots deep and keeps his head up preventing the
sprawl, and the gymnast hits the springboard perfectly and sticks the landing. These are perfect repetitions. This is practicing to be perfect.
The mental repetition is not a replacement for traditional practice. I don’t care how many times a person mentally practices an athletic feat, if the action is never attempted, he or she will not get any better. Mentally practicing, however, removes many variables from the action itself like aerobic conditioning, weather, noise, visual distractions, and stress on the body. It is because of these variables that physical practice is necessary, but the mental rep enables the athlete to focus what he or she does in a perfect scenario.
The Navy’s Blue Angels take mental reps as a group. Their “Zen Flight” has each member of the team sitting around a conference table with their eyes closed as they go through pre-flight checks, in flight communication for maneuvers, and finishes when they have “completed” the flight in the their landing sequence. This is done prior to every training flight and exhibition to ensure the success of the team.
The process of creating a positive image of one’s self accomplishing
a goal or visualizing with the purpose of improving one’s ability is referred to as “visuo-motor behavior rehearsal.” This is training the mind to “know” what a perfect repetition of a movement looks like, and it reaffirms the ability within the athlete to build confidence. Basically, it is the mind telling the body what it can do.
The process of using “mind over body” is not a new concept. Mental toughness is a term often used to describe an innate ability to show disregard for external stimuli. A Navy Seal may be considered mentally tough because of the ability to handle stressful situations – basically any situation encountered during the group’s infamous “Hell Week.” Each candidate is put through exercises that push the limits of the mind and body to develop a higher level of confidence for dealing with stress in the future. Repetition in the training triggers a mental response by the candidate as he enters into a higher consciousness, gaining control over his will.
Training the mind without
the physical stimulus has also been studied with a slightly different expectation. Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a branch of medical science that researches the link between the nervous system and health. Can a person “think” themselves back to health? The study of PNI has included attempts to get patients to focus on a type
of “mind over body” control. A cancer patient may be taught to envision each white blood cell as
a tiny “Pac Man” eating the bad cancerous cells in the body.
The application of this research in the realm of sports has brought about the establishment of Sports Psychology. “Golf is Not a Game of Perfect,” by Dr. Bob Rotella, is a classic book for avid golfers who strive to improve their golf game. Dr. Rotella focuses on the development of a more positive and confident outlook by the golfer to improve his game. This can be accomplished in golf, just like any sport, by removing the performance anxiety. When you
step to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, with two outs, and the bases are loaded, if you haven’t been there before you will have a high chance of folding under the pressure.
When you envision your perfect game, you imagine everything you will do up to and including the moment you hit the ball. It’s less stressful because you have
already stepped into the box, dug your cleats in, tapped the plate, taken your practice swings, and hit the ball out of the park. Of course, you have done this in your mind prior to that first time, but the confidence level is dependent upon the physical preparation of batting practice.
Imagine you have three groups of basketball players whose ability to shoot free-throws you are testing. The first group does not practice. The second group is allowed to practice for a short period of time, and the third group practices mental repetitions only. When tested, which group do you think would shoot with the highest shot percentage? A similar, but more complicated, test was conducted at the University of South Carolina with 48 male athletes. The use of Visuo-Motor Behavior Rehearsal resulted in a 6% improvement in the ability of these athletes to shoot free throws. The increase in shot efficiency is significant due to the fact that the subjects were highly competitive collegiate athletes.
To an athlete, VMBR is like pinching pennies is to a miser. It allows the athlete to squeeze every ounce of talent he has to make him a better competitor. Gaining control of the mental game is an important aspect to consider if an athlete wants to take his game to the next level.
Ryan Post is in entering his fourth year as a coach at East Coweta High School. He has been a high school coach since 1991 in both Florida and Georgia and is currently the Head 9th Grade Football Coach at east Coweta High School. ”
Psychoneuroimmunology:The Science Connecting Body and Mind
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Cafe Come after
the Game
•Fundraiser Events•Free Wi-Fi•On line reservations•Family Discounts
141 Newnan Station Drive•Newnan•770-683-2695
www.junctionlanes.comClose to Peachtree City and Tyrone
Plan some fun at the areas Best Family Entertainment Center
Friday & Saturday 9 am - 1 amSunday-Thursday 9 am - 11 pm
FREE BOWLING1ST Game Free
One game per person per coupon. Up to 4 people in each group can bowl one free
game. Coupon good for 4 free games.
FREE BOWLING1st Game Free
One game per person per coupon. Up to 4 people in each group can bowl
one free game.
The 2012 U14 Boys Select Team of the Southern Soccer Association, led by Coach Jordan Davis, went undefeated this year winning their division. The team finished with 8 wins, 3 ties, no losses and a total of 46 points, beating the competition and winning by a landslide. Team goalie, Cooper Morrison, had 4 shutout games and led all keepers with only 11 goals against. Coweta County soccer has gone through several changes over the past couple of years. Originally restricted to players in Coweta County, teams were known as the Cannons. A couple of years ago, in order to keep up with the larger merging Atlanta leagues, Coweta County merged with Carroll and Douglass County to form the West Georgia Soccer Association. This expanded the talent of the team to include players from the tri-county area. This
past year we merged again with Cobb County and created the Southern Soccer Association. Though the majority of the team is still from Coweta, the additional talent from the other counties and tremendous leadership and training provided by Coach Davis, the team finished first. Photo of winning team includes (from back row left to right) Trent Harper (Coweta), Conner Oot (Coweta), Austin Cosby (Coweta), Alan Howie, Collin Gwinn (Coweta), Bryan Girard, Cole Egan (Coweta), Daniel Rodas, and Cole Chahalis, (front row left to right) Miguel Fonseca, Enoch Sarfo, Keeper Cooper Morrison (Coweta), Montana Lewis (Coweta), Zach Jones (Coweta), David Ahn (Coweta), and Jabari Wolffe. Congratulations!
Coweta County U14 Boys Select Team Goes Undefeated
The Heritage Schoolimagine the possibilities
www.heritagehawks.org 770.253.98982093 Highway 29 North Newnan, Georgia 30263
SAIS/SACS Accredited PreK 3 through Grade 12
Call for a Personal Tour Today
Barry K. Marcum, D.M.D.Eric D. Mobley, D.M.D.
Kale T. Gray, D.M.D.Kim J. Mathews, D.M.D.
Where Every Smile Counts!
Comprehensive care for Infants, Children,
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www.peachtreepediatricdentistry.com
Peachtree City 770-486-0054
310 Stevens Entry
Newnan 770-252-2700
84 Jefferson Pkwy., Suite A
www.susancrutchfieldphotography.comscrutchfieldphotography@gmail.com
678-378-2094
Lee Middle School was awarded its third consecutive Coweta County Middle School Trophy of Excellence. The award is presented annually to the middle school who accumulates the most points based on how the school placed in volleyball, football, girls’ soccer, boys’ soccer, girls’ basketball, boys’ basketball, girls’ track, boys’ track, and the county academic bowl competition. The Timberwolves amassed 116 points during the 2011-2012 school year. Lee won the Coweta County Middle School Athletic League championships in volleyball, girls’ basketball, and girls’ track. In addition the Wolves won the regular season titles in volleyball (tie), football (tie), girls’ basketball, boys’ basketball, and the CCMSAL East girls› track title. The school was runner-ups in tournament play in football. In boys› track and field the Wolves were runner-ups in the CCMSAL Meet and the CCMSAL East Meet. Lee›s academic bowl team also finished as runner-ups in the county and in the West Georgia RESA competition. Both the girls› and boys› soccer team made the CCMSAL Cup semi-finals.The Lee volleyball coaches were Robert Doyal and Shele Ferry. Coaching soccer for the Timberwolves were Brad Willems and Becky Bush. Coaching girls’
basketball was Jared Waggoner and the boys were coached by Pat Harris. The football staff consisted of Adam Daigler, Willems, Waggoner, and Harris. Bush and Harris coached the track teams. The academic bowl team was coached by Suzanne Brooks and Lisa Redmon. Marnie Stephens was the pep squad coach.The Madras Eagles ended the year as runner-ups as they collected 97.5 points. The Eagles year was highlighted with CCMSAL regular season and CCMSAL Tournament Cup championships in both girls› and boys› soccer. Madras also won the Coweta County academic bowl title while finishing as runner-ups in girls› basketball, regular season volleyball co-champions,
and winning the CCMSAL girls› West track title.The Arnall Knights finished third in the standings. The Knights were CCMSAL runner-ups in volleyball, girls› soccer, boys› soccer, boys› basketball, and girls› track. Arnall was the West Georgia RESA academic bowl champions again this year.Rounding out the competition for the year was Evans with 71.5 points, Smokey Road with 61.5 points, and East Coweta with 25 points. Evans won the CCMSAL Boys’ Basketball and Track Championships while Smokey Road won the CCMSAL Football Championship.
The Lee Timberwolves Outstanding Athlete Awards Recipients
Front Row: Andrea Williams, Hannah Rubenstein, Mekhia’ Freeman, Katie Jones, Riley Padgett, Ayanna Reid
Second Row: Carlos Ford, Maddy Kuhne, Elishua Orr, Khalil McCoy, Lindsey Spooner, Alec Jimerson
Third Row: Chase Dees, Tariq Muhammad, Grant Horton, Mandrell Parham, Austin Cosby Kyle Feldbauer, Courtlen Burke
Coweta County Middle School Trophy of Excellence.
www.copperheadlax.com
Middle School and Youth Lacrosse.Boys and Girls in grades 1st through 8th in Coweta and
Fayette County.
Be a part of the fastest growing sport in America!
Registration for fall competitive and
instructional leagues opening soon.
Trinity Christian School held its 1st Annual Trinity Trail Trot event on Saturday, May 19th. The event was held at Crossroads Church on Highway 16 and included a 50 yard dash, 1 mile family fun run, and a 5k Trail Trot. Trinity Christian School is growing leaps and bounds. With the addition of new facilities for both academics and a dynamic athletic program, parent volunteers wanted to kick off the expansion project by giving families an opportunity to participate in an event promoting healthy and active lifestyles while supporting the school and vision.
The weather could not have been more perfect as hundreds of runners and walkers took to the trails on the 54 acres of land Crossroads Church owns. The Trinity Trail Trot logo was designed by Amy Simonton, TCS Art teacher, and art students. Headmaster Dean Demos lead the way on a bicycle he built just for the big day. Dusty the Clown entertained children and painted faces in between races. Bryan’s Catering sold food and refreshments at the event to help raise money for TCS student, Alex Garrett, who is currently battling cancer. Over $650 was raised to help his family with medical needs.
Orlando Burgos, Matthew Miller and Collin Gwinn finished 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall in the 5k. Saturday’s event was a first of its kind for many families. The race planning team, Anne Taylor, Kim Grady, Samantha DePriest, Melanie Weaver and Rhonda Skinner would like to thank all of the volunteers for their time and energy. Also, many local businesses and sponsors whose support is invaluable, and to all the families who came out and shared in the excitement
of an event that will hopefully grow in the years to come.
“It was encouraging to see so many families participating in the event and getting fit and healthy together.
We hope that next year’s event it even will be even bigger and better than this one and look forward to seeing everyone out there at the 2nd Annual Trinity Trail Trot.”, Anne Taylor - race director.
Running for a Great Cause!
