Update on the Oliver kids in sports
Category Miscellany
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I haven't written about what's going on with my kids in their various sports endeavours lately, so I thought I would take a moment to give you an update. I'm going to start with the youngest, and work my way up the list :)
Tommy (football, Choi Kwang Do)
As I told you awhile back my youngest son (about to turn 8 in December) Tommy tried out for football (American football for the non-Americans ;) ) this year. Well, he's done GREAT. He's a starting linebacker, and continues to learn to play his position well. In fact during this season he has been chosen as a starter on the kickoff team (as a gunner), and recently was also added to the kickoff return team; this means that the only team he is not playing on is offense, and he is one of only 3 or 4 kids playing on more than one team.
We are really lucky - Tommy has a fantastic coaching staff training his team to be the best they can be, and it has paid off handsomely. Tommy's team, the West Hall Junior Spartans (7-8 yr olds), has gone undefeated so far this year. Additionally the defense has only allowed 25 points in 5 games (that's less than a touchdown/game). In other words they have been DOMINANT. The Jr. Spartans are currently #1 in the county, and have made the playoffs. The final game will determine whether they are the #1 or #2 seed in the playoffs, so they hope to finish strong and, as their head coach says, "leave no doubt as to who is number one". I'll let you know how the final game goes.
Tommy is also testing for his first-degree black belt in December (along with his brother).
Robin (cheerleading, English equestrian)
Robin is a football cheerleader for Tommy's football team, and I must say she is the cutest one there (if I do say so myself, as a proud daddy). Additionally my eldest daughter, Kris (who is a varsity football cheerleader) is Robin's coach (along with my wife). They have learned quite a few cheers this year, with Robin leading many of them.
Robin is also participating in English equestrian events. She is competing in walk - trot, walk - trot - canter, and equitation. She is moving into jumping as well. She has earned quite a few ribbons so far, and we are very proud of her. It is really neat to see this little girl (she's still under 50 lbs, and she's about to be 9 yrs old - she's teeny) controlling this big horse with authority. She's tough ;)
Rocky Jr (soccer, Choi Kwang Do)
Rocky is really coming into his own in soccer (football for the non-Americans ;) ) this year. He is on an "Academy" team, which is a traveling team. He has mainly played on the "B" level team, but lately has really jumped in his performance so that he's showing up more and more in the "A"team roster. He has finally begun to trust himself and his abilities, and to take more "calculated" risks on the field - and it is paying off. I really believe that he is going to finish the season strong, and then he moves into indoor soccer for the winter. Also, after watching little brother in football he wants to try out for football next summer, so we'll see how that goes.
Rocky is testing for his first-degree black belt in December (along with Tommy), and I will be there with them. I have taken a hiatus in training (and my weight reflects this), but once the boys get their belts I plan on starting back so that we can all train together for our second degree belts.
Kelsey (cross-country, English AND Western equestrian)
This year Kelsey (13 yrs old) decided to run cross-country for her middle school. Now, I was a cross-country runner (we won State, incidentally), and Debbie's brother was on our team as well (and is still a phenomenal marathon runner to this day - at age 45); additionally my uncle and father were runners. So, she has the genes for it. Turns out she is a very good runner. In her first season she has become the second fastest girl on her team, and has done well at her meets. She really enjoys it, and plans on continuning her training all year.
Kelsey has also continued her equestrian training and showing efforts. She has always done English (including jumping and equitation), but now she's also added Western barrel racing. She runs cloverleaf, texas barrels, and arena racing, and her and our horse king are becoming pretty good at it. She has a show this weekend, and we're looking forward to it.
Kris (varsity cheerleader, cross-country)
Kris (15, junior in HS) has continued her cheerleading efforts. Last year she cheered for the varsity basketball team, and this year she stepped up to the varsity football team. She has continued to make great grades (without much prodding at all!), and she is a really good cheerleader. We really enjoy going to the games, and we especially enjoy watching the cheerleaders (because the varsity Spartans aren't doing so well ;) ).
Kris has also gone back to running cross-country as well. She ran in middle school, but stopped for awhile. She decided she wanted to pick it up again, and started running late in the season this year. It has been difficult for her because her cross-country training is often at the same time as her cheerleading practice, but she's been able to manage it. She has also decided to continue running in the offseason, so that she can do well next year on the varsity cross-country team.
Conclusion
So, overall I am very, very proud of our kids. They are all exceptional in their own way, and all of them have been able to persue the things they love as well as maintaining their grades in school. Of course Debbie and I are constantly running kids here and there, but overall it is so worth it. I cannot tell you how much I look forard to going to the various games to watch them - it really is a great feeling seeing your kids excel at what they do.
Thanks for letting me share.
Rock
**A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two-tired.
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Comments
No wonder you're such a proud papa.
....Deb
Posted by ChangeWarrior (Deb) At 05:46:25 PM On 10/23/2006 | - Website - |