Youth Sports Today of Denton County by Youth Sports Today

Denton County February 2013

For Tickets Call:

214-469-0822

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Fun day with the Daisies and Brownies at the First Aid class for Girl Scouts at Excite! Gym, Cheer and Dance.

Lewisville High School Football is proud to anounce that members of their team earned the All-State Academic Honors.

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One of Achievers Gymnastics competitive athletes, Nikki Pressley, competing on Floor Exercise.

Hanging out in Child Watch while Mom and Dad enjoy some workout time at Cross Timbers YMCA.

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Mistake Ritual Keeps Players Ready for Next Play Youth Sports Today proudly presents a new series of tips for youth sports coaches and parents from Positive Coaching Alliance and its local Chapter, PCA-North Texas. This month, we cover the use of a “mistake ritual” as shared in PCA’s live workshops, online courses, books and free resources available at www. PCANorthTexas.org. One section of PCA workshops and courses focuses on the importance of players getting over their mistakes and ready for the most important play of any game—the next play. Too often, a coach pulls a player immediately after a mistake, sending a message that the coach: • Has no confidence the player can play through the mistake • Will not give players a chance to learn an important life lesson of how to think on their feet after a miscue • Will pull anyone else who makes a

mistake. Now there are nervous players in the game, which means they are more likely to make a mistake (and join the nervous players on the bench…except for the one nervous player who has to move from the bench into the game, where he or she also will more likely make a mistake). Fear of making mistakes can negatively impact performance. If the repercussions for mistakes scare players so much that they hesitate to take a big shot or to gamble appropriately on defense, then you as a coach are hurting your team’s performance. You’re also keeping individual players from reaching their potential and possibly even creating an environment in which players no longer want to compete. Granted, there are some cases where repeated mistakes cannot be so easily endured. But removing a player right after a mistake should not be a knee-jerk reaction. And anything humiliating, such as calling timeout to bench the player, is harmful to the morale of the player and teammates. Instead, try using a team mistake ritual, a physical act that coaches, players and even fans can perform to acknowledge a mistake, while still reminding everyone to get past it and be ready for the next play. Examples

include: • Using the “no sweat” motion of pretending to flick sweat off your brow • A toilet flushing motion that helps “flush” the mistake • A motion like dusting off a jersey that reminds players to “brush it off” • Writing “re-set” on one hand and clapping when in need of a re-set after a mistake (and, for a positive twist, writing “replay” on the other hand and clapping after a good play that you would want repeated). Often after a mistake, players look to the bench to see how coach and teammates are reacting. Some players also look into the stands, wondering how their friends or family will respond. It helps to see coaches, teammates, friends and family make their mistake ritual motion, so that the player who has just made a mistake is unafraid to step up and make the next play. To bring PCA to your school or youth sports organization, phone PCA-North Texas Executive Director Scott Secules at 972-7894100 or e-mail Scott_Secules@PositiveCoach. org.

February Issue, Our 16th Year!

COVER STORY BY DENISE NEUMANN Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl For Kids Sake...14-15 STORIES Cure Duchenne......................................................9 REGULAR FEATURES Positive Coaching Alliance...................................5 The Game Plan....................................................6 Chalk Talk.............................................................7 Kids Korner...........................................................8 Sports Directory.............................................10-11 Triple Threat.......................................................12 Team to Watch...................................................16 Student Athlete of the Month..............................19

With so many kids down with the flu, it’s probably a good thing there weren’t a lot of team sports competing last month! Without many teams playing, it leaves little for us to shoot, and we miss getting to freeze so many great moments. Thank goodness for the Winter Games of Texas in Frisco last month! While we are shooting a game or a class, inevitably the kids start to notice. Once we’re spotted, the camera smiles abound, and we get the, “Did you catch that?” look after every completion of a movement or a play! We often feel bad about being a distraction, but we must admit it puts a smile on our faces every time we get “the look”! It doesn’t take long before someone asks why we’re taking their pictures. When they find out

it’s for a magazine they ask, “Am I going to be famous???!!!”. The reply is standard, “You may very well be famous one day”. It’s not a lie, and in fact, there is no doubt we will be watching one of the many athletes we’ve caught in action for many years to come, and quite possibly into adulthood. You never know what greatness is developing before you. You never know what miraculous and seemingly impossible play is going to unfold, or how a single act of integrity or compassion on the court will impact your day. The same holds true in every instance when you work with young people. If only we could capture the moments of our day the same way we do with a camera. Sometimes you see the potential and greatness packed inside of a small little body, but what makes me smile is the unexpected... when they don’t know we’re watching.

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Great action caught during the Winter Games of Texas with 6th grade basketball teams. #5 C.J. Thomas of Texas Red Storm and #21 Grant Robertson work to block a shot by Team Texas. 6

6 Steps to Keep Kids on Track on Practice Drills

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Brandon Litten of Marcus High School took the Gold at the Rumble at the Rock Tournament in Rockwell. He is a returning varsity starter and was a state runner up last year in his weight class.

We’d like to believe all kids show up for games and practice, ready to play, focused on the tasks at hand, hungry, and leaning forward in anticipation for every piece of wisdom we impart. Yeah. Dream on, coach. This is the real world. Even the most enthusiastic kids are going to have off days, and it’s tough to find 12 kids that are all engaged and in the right emotional and mental place to behave. Most require only a simple verbal reminder, but what do you do when a player is goofing off, not paying attention, or cheating on drills to take the path of least resistance? Asking the kid to refocus is obviously the first step . . . and some coaches have perfected the “parental stare.” If that doesn’t work, what’s next? Step 1: Pull Jimmy aside, explain how his behavior isn’t appropriate, and reinforce what behavior/ attitude you need from him.

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Excite! Dance showoff at the MCL Grand Theater in Lewisville.

Step 2: Correct the behavior in front of team, perhaps with pushups as consequence. “Jimmy, you’re still talking while I’m talking. Drop and give me 10 while I finish explaining this to the team.” Step 3: Pull the kid aside again. Reinforce your expectations and firmly express disappointment that they aren’t being met. Have Jimmy sit and watch the next drill. Discuss the situation with Jimmy’s parent after practice. “I just wanted to make you aware that Jimmy was unfocused and disruptive today – I hope we’ve handled it. It’s not like him – is anything going on at home or school that might be causing the behavior?” Step 4: In front of the team ask Jimmy why he is goofing off. Ask the other kids if they think it is fair for Jimmy to waste their time. Confronting the behavior this way can change the dynamic from

player-coach to player-player. Step 5: Involve the other players by having them exert a little peer pressure: “Okay, everyone drop and give me 10 pushups thanks to Jimmy. We all need to be paying attention and doing the drills correctly. Anyone think it okay for Jimmy to not be paying attention?” Step 6: As a final step, suspend Jimmy for a game/practice or until the behavior changes. Discuss this with the parents first and explain what steps have been taken and why this is necessary. Some steps might not be appropriate or necessary given the age, maturity, and competitive level of the kids. Some might need to be repeated or the order might need to be shuffled. Of course all of this assumes the coach has made the drills and activities engaging for the kids in the first place . . . if the kids are bored, the coach needs to look in the mirror before blaming the kids! Coach Dan Clemens is the author of A Perfect Season: A Coach’s Journey to Learning, Competing, and Having Fun in Youth Baseball. A leadership and communications consultant, he’s coached youth baseball, football, soccer and basketball for 10 years and is a high school coach. You can email him at Dan@CoachClemens. com.

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Team Athletics Youth League of Lewisville take a break from their community service to smile for the camera.

Dallas Sports Celebrities are Bowling to Cure Duchenne

CureDuchenne, a nonprofit that raises awareness and funds research to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, will host a Bowling to CureDuchenne fundraising event on February 10 at Lewisville Lanes in Lewisville, Texas. Sports celebrities from the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers, including Rocket Ismail, Nate Newton, Drew Pearson, Darren Woodson, Don Stanhouse, Everson Walls, Pete Hunter, Larry Brown and Tony Banks, will bowl with community members to benefit CureDuchenne. The Bowling to CureDuchenne event is in honor of Nathan Rothe, 10, who lives with Duchenne. Duchenne is a progressive muscle-wasting disease that impacts 1 in 3,500 boys. Boys are usually diagnosed by 5, in a wheelchair by 12 and most don’t survive their mid20s. Ted and Jessica Rothe, from Highland Village, are organizing the event. All proceeds of Bowling to CureDuchenne will benefit CureDuchenne to help fund research to find a cure for Duchenne. “When Nathan was diagnosed with Duchenne at age 4 we were devastated to learn there was no treatment or cure,” said Jessica Rothe. “Now there are a lot of exciting things happening in Duchenne research and there is hope for Nathan and the other 300,000 boys worldwide with Duchenne.” “We are getting closer to a cure for Duchenne,” said Debra Miller, founder and CEO of CureDuchenne. “Based on the science, Duchenne could become treatable for this generation of boys. We just need to continue to fund promising research to ensure all Duchenne boys have the chance for an extended lifespan and improved quality of life.” Bowling to CureDuchenne is sponsored by Cadillac. To support the event, click here or call CureDuchenne at 949-872-2552.

Directory

Baseball

o Cross Timbers YMCA - www.lewisvilleymca.org, 972-539-9622 o Denton Boys Baseball - www.dbbi.org o Flower Mound Youth Sports Association www.fmysa.com, 972-955-7328 o Highland Village Baseball & Softball Association www.hvabsa.com, info@hvabsa.com o i9 Sports (Denton County, Coppell, Southlake) www.i9sports.com, 817-400-4525 o Lewisville Baseball Association - www.lbasports.net 972-420-7841 o Premier Prospects Softball and Baseball Academy www.ppsba.com, 214-499-6240

Softball

o Flower Mound Youth Sports Association www.fmysa.com, 972-955-7328 o Highland Village Baseball & Softball Association www.hvabsa.com, info@hvabsa.com o Lewisville Baseball Association - www.lbasports.net 972-420-7841 o Premier Prospects Softball and Baseball Academy www.ppsba.com, 214-499-6240

Basketball

o Attack Basketball Club www.attackball.com, 214-223-7865 o Coco Sports Youth Basketball www.lcs-ballsandbooks.com, 972-464-6580 o Cross Timbers YMCA www.lewisvilleymca.org, 972-539-9622 o Denton Youth Basketball www.dentonyouthbasketball.com 940-320-9392 o i9 Sports (Denton County, Coppell, Southlake) www.i9sports.com 817-400-4525

Hockey o Starcenter www.dallasstars.com 214-GO-SKATE or 972-831-2425

Lacrosse o Flower Mound Lacrosse Association www.flowermoundlacrosse.com o Hebron Hawks Lacrosse www.hebronlax.com o Lantana Wildcats Youth Football Assoc. www.lwyfa.lantanawildcatsfootball.org

Football

o Cross Timbers YMCA www.lewisvilleymca.org 972-539-9622 o Denton All-Star Youth Football www.dayfl.org, 940-349-8276 o Denton County Raiders Org www.dcraiders.org

o Driven Youth Football www.drivenfootball.com 972-746-5697 o Flower Mound Youth Football Association - www.fmyfa.org info@fmyfa.com o i9 Sports (Denton County, Coppell, Southlake) www.i9sports.com, 817-400-4525 Football o Lewisville Football Association www.lewisvillepeeweefootball.com 972-219-1269 o Upward Sports 972-530-8547 ext. 216

Soccer o Cross Timbers YMCA www.lewisvilleymca.org 972-539-9622 o Greater Lewisville Soccer Association - www.glassasoccer.org 972-221-4623 o i9 Sports (Denton County, Coppell, Southlake) www.i9sports.com, 817-400-4525 o Upward Sports 972-530-8547 ext. 216

games, tournaments, events, camps

Cheerleading o Denton All-Star Youth Football www.dayfl.org, 940-349-8276 o Denton County Raiders Org. www.dcraiders.org o Driven Youth Football www.drivenfootball.com, 972-746-5697 o Excite! Gym, Cheer and Dance www.excitegym.com, 972-874-8500 o Flower Mound Youth Football Association - www.fmyfa.org info@fmyfa.com

o i9 Sports (Denton County, Coppell, Southlake) www.i9sports.com, 817-400-4525 o Lewisville Football Association www.lewisvillepeeweefootball.com 972-219-1269 o Upward Sports 972-530-8547 ext. 216 o WinKids www.winkids.net, 972-355-9988

Dance

Gymnastics

o Excite! Gym, Cheer and Dance www.excitegym.com 972-874-8500 o WinKids www.winkids.net 972-355-9988

Martial Arts

Tennis

o WinKids www.winkids.net 972-355-9988

o Play For Sport www.playforsport.com 972-965-0458

Swimming

Track

o AquaKids www.aquakids.com, 972-724-1528 o Cross Timbers YMCA www.lewisvilleymca.org 972-539-9622 o Lakeside Aquatic Club www.www.swimlac.org o WinKids www.winkids.net 972-355-9988

o Lake Cities Track Club 214-244-3271

Volleyball o Attack Volleyball Club www.attackvball.com 972-315-9500

o Cross Timbers YMCA www.lewisvilleymca.org 972-539-9622

Your guide to area events, registrations, games and tournaments. If you would like your listing to appear here, email Amy Kenney at amy@youthsportstoday.com

Marcus High School Golf Team The team had a great fall season. The Boys and Girls teams took first place in the Cleburne Fall Classic at the beginning of October. Dustin Lewis took first place for the Boys and Hayley Dambold the individual first place medal. Five new school records were set by both teams. This year the team has a large number of freshman and sophomores with great talent. Coach Gabel states, “Our depth of young golfers is a positive, and as a team we have a strong sense of chemistry.” This spring, keep your eye on the Marcus High Golf Team. They will play with special tags on their bags that have pandas on them and state “Love to the MAX, Live to the MAX and Play to the MAX”, in honor of their fallen friend, Max Schwolert. Max succumbed to the flu over the holiday break while on vacation, and was a vivacious presence to the team. Many on the team wear T-Shirts in his honor. “LOVE to the MAX” t-shirts are being sold for $15 each and will go towards a special project to impact the community and honor Max’s life. The team is also hosting the first annual golf tournament called “Play it to the MAX” in remembrance of their teammate.

TEAM TO WATCH is dedicated to Max Schwolert LIVE to the MAX!! LOVE to the MAX!! PLAY to the MAX!! Our hearts are broken, our lives enriched We love and miss you Max!! Max's Legacy lives on in all of us. www.caringbridge.org/visit/maxschwolert

LOVEtotheMAXforMaxSchwolert

Battling it out on the soccer fields during the Winter Games of Texas in Frisco.

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Will Kudlac having fun in the gymnastics area at Achievers Gymnsatics preschool.

Lucas Lovell of Marcus High School placed first in his weight class during a wrestling tournament at Coppell HS.

How Can A “BIG” Make a “Little” Bigger? Story By Denise Neumann Photography provided by Guy Phillips of What’s That Guy’s Name? Photography By Guy T.

In a state where “Everything’s “Bigger’, Big Brothers Big Sisters is no different. BBBS is a non-profit that has been around for over 100 years, proving all you need is a “Big” heart and a “little” time to change a child’s life. A “Big” is the Big Brother or Big Sister who volunteers their time to mentor and befriend a “Little”, the child at-risk. “Littles” are children whose teachers, pastors, or even probation officers fear that they are being pulled in the wrong direction. “Littles” may not have direct appropriate parental guidance. They may have a single parent, working parents with long hours or multiple jobs, or parents who just feel their children just need a strong role model. A “Little” is at a turning point for great things or a life of disappointment, all they need is someone to point them in the right direction and show them

how to get there. “Bigs” are men and women who want to share their lives, a “Little” at a time. Pictured you see John Wetteland, a Texas Rangers Hall of Famer and Taylor Hoagland a member of Team USA Softball Team simply helping by donating their time to promote the upcoming “Bowl for Kid’s Sake”, BBBS of Denton County’s main fundraiser for the year. Wetteland is residing in Argyle now with his wife and four children. They are actively involved in their church and community. Hoagland, a senior on the UT Longhorn Softball team and a Flower Mound High School graduate, was recently chosen to be apart of the 2012 Winter Big 12 Conference Chick-fil-A Community of Champions because of her academic efforts, community service and leadership on and off of the field. All you need to be is … you.

Does it take a lot of time? Money? Experience? Education? The answer to all those is easy. No. As a “Big” you simply bring a “Little” into your life. You can take them to the grocery store, the park, the library. Or check out the Big Brothers Big Sisters newsletter for free/low cost tickets to events, museums or concerts. All you need to offer is a safe, nurturing environment. Show them that doing the right thing may not always be easy, but when you are choosing it together you will succeed. BBBS started back in 1904 when a court clerk in New York noticed the growth in young boys coming through the court system. He set out to find volunteers, and so began Big Brothers. In 1977 they merged with Catholic Big Sisters to become Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. They have been changing kids perspective on

their lives ever since. How much of a difference has been proven time and time again. What can a “Big” do? The answer to that question has endless possibilities. When compared with children who were not in the BBBS program, the “Littles” were: • 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs • 27% less likely to begin using alcohol • 52% less likely to skip school • 33% less likely to use violence It has also been found that the “Littles” were more confident of their performance in schoolwork and getting along better with their families. A long-term impact study found that “Littles” were more likely that their peers to have four year college degrees and incomes of more than $75,000. Amy Kenney and I had the pleasure of sitting down with Janemarie Clark, Regional Executive Director of the Denton County BBBS. YST: How and why was Big Brothers Big Sisters of Denton County founded? BBBS: BBBS came to Texas in 1926 and had 75 “Littles” in their first year. We expanded to Denton County in 1975 when a need was seen for the children in our area. We were co-ed by then so we could reach both boys and girls. We have a great community here with people who are devoted to BBBS. Our “Bigs” are matched so well that the relationships last a lifetime. YST: What are BBBS of Denton County’s goals? BBBS: We strive to promote the welfare of our “Littles”, to keep them in school and out of trouble. With the help of their teachers, pastors, and parents we ID the risk factors that they have. We have such an amazing matching team that matches them with a “Big” who can turn these risks into opportunities for growth. YST: What age does a child have to be to participate? BBBS: We start seeing children when they are 7 years old. They are welcome into the program until they are 18 or a High School Graduate. They can stay in the program through their 22nd birthday. Many enjoy this as it helps with college prep and the struggle of the first year or two of college. YST: We know how BBBS can benefit a child developmentally and socially, but how does your organization benefit the parents? BBBS: There is no cost to the parent of the “Little”, we wanted to make this as easy as

possible on them to get their “Little” the mentor they need. BBBS is also a huge resource for the parents. We hire our own social workers who coordinate with the city, county and state to bring the progam information to the parents. We can help them find financial assistance, food stamps, counseling and other programs of this type. Plus, the “Big” really becomes a part of the

“Littles” family. They share, listen and connect in a way no other adult in their life could. YST: What is your biggest challenge as an organization? BBBS: Not having enough “Bigs”. There are always kids that need help. We have a waiting list, especially for men. After a boy hits 11 years-old, they have to be partnered with a male role model. We have found that men are timid about becoming a “Big” as they don’t see what they can do. They are an outstanding sense of stability and strength to “Little” boys. There is always a need for them. YST: What is a favorite highlight or story in BBBS’s history? It can be about a child, a parent, a volunteer, “Little”, etc. BBBS: A Big’s first Little. He was a bright kid, very smart but was continually getting bad grades. He wanted to be a sportscaster but was afraid he wouldn’t ever get into college, let alone be able to afford it. He worked with his Little over the years and got his grades up. Took him to OSU to tour the campus and just watched his face light up. This is where he needed to be. He helped the Little study for the SAT and when the time came, the Big’s family had a pow-wow. The Big spent the

evening with the Little’s mom showing her how to fill out the financial aid paper work, and the Big’s kids and wife helped the Little with his applications and essays. He is at OSU today, finishing his first year. We couldn’t be happier. YST: What would you say to a parent who is hesitant about having his/her child participate in the organization? BBBS: Our Bigs go through a rigorous interview process. They first apply and we run two in-depth federal background checks on them. We not only call the references they provide, but research their history and call on those people as well. Then, if they have passed so far, we bring them in for an interview. Our social workers then put the Bigs through a training that is hands on. The whole process can take over a month, but it is worth it for our Little’s safety. Then we talk with the parents to find out specific traits or needs of the Little. Our psychologists talk with the Little to see what else can be discovered. Then, and only then, the matching process begins.

YST: If BBBS as an organization could be granted a wish...what would that be? BBBS: For enough financial resources to help every child. We hire social workers and psychologists, who make much less than their counterparts. They work for us and do an amazing job, but it takes money. That is why we do fundraisers like the “Bowl for Kids’ Sake”, in April. So we can get our local businesses and neighbors in on the support.

YST: Tell us about the “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” coming up this April. BBBS: This is our main fundraiser for the year. We have a lot of fun and the kids really enjoy the event. It is at the Brunswick Zone in Denton on April 25 from 6-8PM. There are many ways you can get involved and “Start Something Today!”. Create a team of four and register online for free. As part of your registration each member will get a T-Shirt, pizza and soft drinks. Each team is asked to raise at least $500.00. As a business you can sponsor a lane for $500-1000, each step coming with its own Sponsorhip Benefit Package.

TRIPLE THREAT By Denise Neumann

Take off your hats and cross your hearts, its game time. Playing the game is infectious, intoxicating…but when the last whistle blows, the lights click off…who are you? Are you a whole person, or just a delivery device for the ball? Brandon Agemennone, former MLB Pitcher known as “Aggie”, wanted more than to be just a strong arm. He wanted to reach the player before the game took over. So he prayed. He met with Kyle Abbot, former MLB player and Chaplin for the Texas Rangers, and in 2009, ProSource was born.

“I wanted to have Baseball on a Spiritual platform.” Aggie explains, “We develop four main areas”. The four areas are; Spiritual, Academics, Community Service and Athletics. Joining ProSource you get more then great baseball, you get young men held to higher standards. They are held to His standards When they join, their families are brought in and all three sides sign contracts. The Coaches: Expectations, what is crossing the line, and what is not acceptable “motivational” tactics. The Players: Commitment to the game, your education, faith and community service. Facebook is even checked to see how you are presenting yourself off the field. The Parents: Are told this is not a “Win at any cost” facility. There will be no screaming at the Umps, the players or other parents. In baseball you get three strikes, but here, only two and then you are dismissed. Proving ProSource

provides a safe environment to grow the game, the spirit and the soul. Aggie smiles discussing the motto, Consider the Source. “We are more ministry than baseball; we have bible study, community service as well as clinics, games and tournaments.” The players have sent backpacks to India, built a playground, picked up trash and are looking forward to going to Guatemala this summer to have baseball clinics and help build a church. ProSource has a proven track record with their faith based program. They are 16 for 16 in college recruitment with scholarships as high as 80%. Bibles and Baseball, Food and The Word and Lock-ins are on the curriculum giving these future role models the strength to “do the right thing, on and off the field”. To me, a perfect “Triple Threat” in today’s crazy world.

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Briarhill Middle School student Lorenzo Daniel was named the Flower Mound Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s January Student of the Month.

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Members of the Team Athletics League work on a community service project.

Iconic Dallas Architecture // Team Awards // Fun for the whole family!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

NEW THIS YEAR! FREE TECHNICAL TEE

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

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STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE MONTH Gabe Moore, 8 years old, 2nd grader at Samuel Beck Elementary How old were you when you started playing sports? I was 3 years old. What sport did you start playing first? My first sport was T-Ball. Do you continue to play multiple sports, and if yes, which do you play? Yes, I do. I am in Football, Baseball, and Wrestling. Which sport is your

favorite and why? Wrestling – because I get to make new friends. Who is your sports role model and why? I have a few role models. Ray Lewis, because he is a linebacker and intercepts the ball a lot. The other role model is Nolan Ryan because he was a great pitcher and he gives back. My last role model is Jordan Burroughs. He worked hard to get Gold at the Olympics in London. What do you like to do when you’re not playing sports? I like to play the guitar, read books, and play games. What is your favorite subject in school? I really like being in G.A.T.E.S. It is a gifted and talented

program. What would you like to do for a profession when you graduate? I would like to be a Marine Biologist. What is your favorite thing about playing sports? My favorite thing about playing sports is that I get to have fun. What has been your biggest challenge while playing sports? My biggest challenge is my balance. Who is your favorite sports team? My favorite teams are the Ravens for football and the Rangers for baseball. Who has been the biggest influence in your life and what have they taught you? My Dad – He always tells me to never give up.

What is your favorite moment during a game so far? I got to run the ball in football and made an extra point. What accomplishment are you most proud of? Getting first place at the Cotton Bowl National for Wrestling If you were able to give a younger athlete advice, what would it be? My advice to the younger kids is to never give up. What’s one thing about you that most people don’t know? I have scoliosis. Do you know what college you would like to attend and what you would like to major in? I would like to attend the University of Hawaii and major in Marine Biology.