Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Athlete Spotlight #56) Austin Fite

Hello Everyone!
It was great to have our next athlete back after a short hiatus. He strives to do everything right - every time. Exactly what any winning coach wants on their team. Since this athlete was so focused during his training he made huge improvements before season. We will be looking for him high-flying around the rim this year. It is time to meet....

Athlete Name: Austin Fite
Sport(s):
Basketball
and Baseball
Position(s):
Left Field, Center, and 1st. PG, SG, SF. 

School: Woodridge
Graduation Year:
2014

AGSP Athlete Since:
8th grade




Favorite Professional Sports Team: Miami Heat
Favorite Professional Athlete:  Lebron James
Favorite Lift: Split Jerks
Favorite Movement Skill:
Jump Training




When I am not training at AGSP, I am: working and focusing on school.

What are your short-term goals?
Have an outstanding Junior year of high school.

What are your long-term goals?
Get a scholarship, hopefully to Hawaii.
 
How has AGSP impacted your performance as an athlete?
It's made me faster, stronger, quicker, confident, and more flexible.


CHECK OUT SOME VIDEO OF AUSTIN TRAINING AT AGSP!
(we've put them all into one video!)

 
Keep Training! 
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Monday, November 19, 2012

Athlete Spotlight #55) Troy Tofil

Hello Everyone!
Our next athlete has seen impressive strength and power improvements since he started. He always comes to training eager to learn. He is helpful and encouraging to his fellow athletes and has a great attitude. It is time to meet....

Athlete Name: Troy Tofil
Sport(s):
Basketball

Position(s):
Power forward, Center

School: St. Joseph School
Graduation Year:
2017

AGSP Athlete Since:
2011





Favorite Professional Sports Team: Cleveland Browns
Favorite Professional Athlete: Blake Griffin
Favorite Lift: Clean Pull
Favorite Movement Skill:
Max Velocity




When I am not training at AGSP, I am:  playing basket ball, watching t.v., going to school, and  reading books.

What are your short-term goals?
I want to become faster, stronger, and more powerful before basketball season in the beginning of November.


What are your long-term goals?
I want to go to college and become a doctor.

How has AGSP impacted your performance as an athlete?
It has allowed me to jump higher, run faster, and become a better sports performer.


CHECK OUT SOME VIDEO OF TROY TRAINING AT AGSP!
(we've put them all into one video!)

 
Keep Training! 
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Athlete Spotlight #54) Lillian Piper

Hello Everyone!
Our next athlete is someone any team is lucky to have. She's hard working, motivated, open-minded, and desires to be the best she and her teammates can be. We look forward to watching her athletic career develop! It is time to meet....

Athlete Name: Lillian Piper
Sport(s):
Basketball
and Softball
Position(s):
All and short stop 

School: Walsh Jesuit
Graduation Year:
2015

AGSP Athlete Since:
2011






Favorite Professional Sports Team: Cleveland Browns
Favorite Professional Athlete:  Candace Parker
Favorite Lift: Clean Pull
Favorite Movement Skill:
Jump Training






When I am not training at AGSP, I am: I am practicing whatever sport season I am in.
 
What are your short-term goals?
Being able to touch the rim.

What are your long-term goals?
Play a sport in college and coach at a college level.
 
How has AGSP impacted your performance as an athlete?
It's made me jump higher, run faster, and way stronger.


CHECK OUT SOME VIDEO OF LILLI TRAINING AT AGSP!
(we've put them all into one video!)

 
Keep Training! 
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Fred Marquinez - Interview with a Masters Weightlifter



Hello Everyone!
 
It’s not every day that a World Masters Weightlifter walks through your doors and wants to train with you. It’s even more unique when such a lifter works for the same employer as you! So you can imagine our surprise when one of the doctors from Akron General Medical Center contacted us inquiring about training for the 2012 World Masters Weightlifting Championships. Dr. Fred Marquinez is a Physician specializing in Medical Oncology and Hematology. He trained at Akron General Sports Performance for 6 weeks leading up to his meet which was held September 15-22 in Lviv, Ukraine. Fred was kind enough to share some information about his weightlifting career and experiences. There are some great words of wisdom here, so pay attention and take notes!
 

Name: Fred Marquinez
 
Sport: Olympic Style Weightlifting
 
 Age Group & Weight Class: 50-54 yr age group, 62kg weight class
 
When did you start Weightlifting?
I began Olympic-style weightlifting 6 years ago.  Prior to that I was a runner (everything from 5k’s to marathons).


What attracted you to the sport?
I like Olympic weightlifting because it combines strength, speed and agility. Because all major muscle groups are used, it is great for overall conditioning as well as strength training.

What are your current best lifts?
Snatch 64kg (140.8 lb); Clean and Jerk 84kg (184.8 lb); Total: 143kg.
 
 What is your favorite lift to train?
The snatch, though it is the most difficult.
 
Do you have a favorite lifter? If so, who?
Naim Suleymanoglu, “the Pocket Hercules”; World and Olympic champion.
 
 
 
What competitions have you lifted in?
2012 World Masters Weightlifting Championships (L’viv, Ukraine), 2011 Pan American Masters Championships, National Masters, American Masters, Arnold Sports Festival, Ohio Weightlifting Championships.
 
 
What are your goals for the sport?
To set personal records while improving my physical conditioning.
 
What to you is the most challenging aspect of Weightlifting?
Weightlifting is an extremely technical sport. It’s very challenging to lift heavy weights while concentrating on proper techniques.
 
 
What to you is the most rewarding aspect of Weightlifting?
Lifting allows me to push my body to new limits and improves my overall health. Working out is also a great stress-reliever. Competing in the stressful settings of national and international meets has helped me improve my ability to concentrate and focus on the task at hand.

 
 
What advice would you give someone who is reluctant to try the sport or compete?
Training for the Olympic lifts is a fantastic way to improve strength, agility, flexibility and endurance. It also enhances the performance of most other sports. Competing allows one to measure progress under meet conditions as well as to gain advice and inspiration from others who are more experienced. I’ve also found that Olympic weightlifters are more friendly and helpful than athletes in the other sports in which I’ve competed.

Keep Training! Coach Anthony Colarusso & Akron General Sports Performance