By GARY STALLARD
AC Athletics
First come the lessons. Then comes the practical application of the learned skills. And because these are kids, somewhere in the middle (and end) there will be snacks.
Throughout each session, however, the “fun” in “fundamentals” never lets up.
For several years, Angelina College’s “Camp Roadrunner” youth sports camps have been a destination for local youngsters to learn valuable skills pertaining to their favorite sports. Recently, this year’s series of camps – which included kids in grades kindergarten through middle school – wrapped up another successful summer.
AC’s camp opened the first of June with baseball and softball and took place on the Lady Roadrunner and Roadrunner fields. Coaching staffs from the teams included Jon Phillips and Cody Crowder (along with several Roadrunner players) with baseball, and Kassie James and Bailey Frenzel with softball.
Last week featured the basketball and soccer camps, with those activities also taking place at the AC facilities. Roadrunner head coach J.J. Montgomery, with an assist from player Qasim Boyd, and Lady Roadrunner coaches Addie Lees (head coach) and Mercedes Corona trained the little hoopers. Over on the AC soccer pitch, head coaches Martin Melchor (Roadrunners) and Sergio Gardea (Lady Roadrunners) steered the little ones with help from Colton Radke.
The camps focus on teaching fundamentals while developing specific game skills. Each session finishes with a friendly scrimmage to allow the youngsters to show off their newly learned abilities.
Angelina College typically releases Camp Roadrunner information, including dates and registration info, in late March of each year. Visit the Angelina College website (angelina.edu) for all the details.
Just don’t forget to bring the snacks.
Gary Stallard’s email address is garylstallard@gmail.com.
Please note: This story highlights Angelina College’s Camp Roadrunner sports camp, which recently wrapped for the summer. Camp Roadrunner recreation camp is still underway. Learn more about all AC camps at angelina.edu/camproadrunner.