Community Involvement
Interested in having Team USA Arizona speak at your school or volunteer at your event? Contact us to find out more.
Team USA Arizona volunteers at Fit Kids Body Walk in Cottonwood
Team USA Arizona's Alvina Begay, Ian Burrell and Trina Painter volunteered for the physical activity portion of the "Body Walk" in Cottonwood, AZ. This interactive exhibit is for Yavapai County 3rd graders to learn how to keep their bodies healthy.
The event allowed the kids to go through different body parts, including walking up the tongue into the giant mouth, crawling through the esophagus into the stomach, then traveling on to the intestines, muscles, bones, heart, and lungs. They also participated in an obstacle course to learn about the importance of exercise. The journey ends with the kids being “sneezed” out of the nose. Lessons focus on the importance of good nutrition, physical activity, and staying away from tobacco.
Team USA Arizona volunteers at Sechris Walk-A-Thon
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Team USA Arizona helped students at the Sechrist Stride for Pride Walkathon. Jaime, Stephanie and Trina were present to count laps and encourage the kids. The entire student body of pre-schooler through 6th grade and their teachers walked and ran for 30 minutes earning money to maintain their dirt track and buy fitness equipment for their school.
Team USA Arizona's mission to fight childhood obesity starts with our efforts to teach kids that exercise and activity are both rewarding and fun. To help Team USA Arizona end childhood obesity in Northern Arizona, please visit this page.
adidas-McMillanElite High School Cross Country Camp
July 28th, 2009 - Flagstaff, AZ
Over the past two summers, Team USA Arizona and Coach Greg McMillan had the opportunity to speak to over two hundred Arizona high school runners through cross country camps in Flagstaff, AZ. This summer, the team continued their encouragement of youth running and physical activity by participating as guest speakers at the Team USA Arizona High School Cross Country training camp held in Flagstaff, Arizona. The team spoke on various topics including form drills, core exercises, nutrition, training and racing shoes, racing strategies, running in college and held a fun question and answer session at the end of the week. They also did training runs with the campers and shared meals with them as they talked with the youth on a more personal and individual level.
adidas-McMillanElite Flagstaff High School Peaks Cross Country Invitational
September 5th, 2009 - Flagstaff, AZ
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On a brisk September morning, Team USA Arizona athletes had the opportunity to serve at one of Arizona's premier high school cross country meets - The Peaks Invitational. This meet featured some of the top young runners in the state all gathered at Flagstaff's famed Buffalo Park, a favorite training ground for the Team USA Arizona runners. While assisting with the finish line chute, Team USA Arizona athletes Lindsay Allen, Jordan Horn, Jaime Canterbury, Andrew Middleton, and Trent Briney were the first to congratulate the runners as they crossed the line, giving them the compliments and encouragement they very much deserved. It also gave them a glimpse into their own past as they remembered where they came from and how far they have progressed.
After the races, the Team USA Arizona athletes handed out awards to the top high school runners in the six divisions. adidas provided first class gear for the runners including back packs, mugs, hats and a pair of running shoes to each winner, making this race the highlight of the year thus far for the young athletes.
Team USA Arizona would like to thank Coach Trina Painter for the opportunity to take part in the event.
Kids on the Run - Sechrist Elementary
Spring 2009 Flagstaff, AZ
Upon the arrival of spring, students at Flagstaff's Sechrist Elementary were eager to stretch their legs and lungs in the after school running program aptly named Kids on the Run. Coach Trina Painter, along with assistants Emily Harrison and Andrew Middleton of Team USA Arizona, put the young athletes through several weeks of track and field related exercises designed to teach hand-eye coordination, pacing techniques, flexibilty and core strength. They also learned that living a physically active lifestyle can be fun.
Activities included relay runs, circuit training exercises such as jumping rope, skipping, sprinting and jumping jacks, and the favorite of all, the hurdles. Each athlete would receive upon completion of the day a treat to refuel their tired legs and reward them for a job well done.
Instructing and mentoring young runners is essential to the growth and development of not only our sport, but also the minds and bodies of these children. Now, more than ever, learning and applying the foundations of a healthy lifestyle are essential to the health of our community; Team USA Arizona is proud to promote and participate in after school programs such as Kids on the Run.
Flagstaff High School Cross Country Camp
July 31, 2008 Flagstaff, AZ
Core & Strength Training Presentation |
On a sunny and warm afternoon, Team USA Arizona athletes made their way to Hart Prairie, just west of the San Francisco Peaks. Normally, this excursion would be for a long, steady run in the beautiful Aspen groves that are commonly found on this side of Flagstaff. However, on this occasion, they were given the opportunity to speak to a high school running camp about the importance of a solid core and strength training routine.
As they arrived, they were greeted by more than fifty runners from two high schools in the state of Arizona; Flagstaff High School and Chaparral High School out of the Phoenix area. Soon the presentation began and the young runners demonstrated their eagerness to learn through their attentiveness and knowledgeable questions.
Once the presentation was over, the Team USA Arizona athletes were able to speak one on one with the runners as they both enjoyed lunch in the main cabin. This was not just a learning experience for the high school athletes, but for the Team USA Arizona team as well. Any chance made available to this team is taken sincerely and with full appreciation of the impact that can be made every time they make appearances. Overall, the presentation was a success as young runners were introduced to the significance of core & strength training by elite athletes who care enough to take time out of their day to demonstrate their desire to impact the sport in a
positive way.
Earlier in the week, Coach Greg McMillan made the same journey to the camp to speak to the athletes as well. It is a truly special occassion for young runners to come into contact with a high caliber coach such as Greg and the athletes were very receptive to the lesson he provided.
Team USA Arizona would like to thank Trina Painter, Head Cross Country Coach of Flagstaff High School, for allowing us to be a part of this event.
Four Corners Introductory Altitude Camp
June 23 - 25
For three days, 29 high-school runners from the four corners region attended an introductory altitude camp and Team USA Arizona athletes were there to help.
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Brianna Torres, Andrew Middleton and Jordan Horn led two runs for the talented Native American runners on the trails surrounding the NAU campus and beyond. It was a very educational experience for the athletes since they were able to run with elite athletes from Flagstaff, watch a VO2max demonstration, learn about training principles and nutrition from famed Coach Jack Daniels and received an inspirational Olympic presentation on the value of Respect.
It has been Team USA Arizona's honor to be a part of the camps put on by the Center for High Altitude Training at Northern Arizona University. Helping young athletes realize their potential and give them the direction they need to succeed is an important aspect of our core philosophy. We would like to thank the Center for High Altitude Training, Natalie Harlan and Sean Anthony for the ability to volunteer and for their tremendous support of our program.
Jr. Olympic Skills Competition Day
May 5 – 9 was Olympic Week in America and Northern Arizona University’s Center for High Altitude Training celebrated on Thursday, May 8. Team USA Arizona Athlete Andrew Middleton served as the 'starter' for the 50m Dash event, in which nearly one-hundred runners participated.
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Local 5th and 6th graders from South Beaver and DeMiguel Elementary Schools had the opportunity to participate in the Junior Olympic Skills Competition for soccer, track and field at NAU’s Lumberjack Stadium. This free grassroots youth participation program allows boys and girls, competing separately, the opportunity to showcase their athletic abilities in Olympic events.
Visit www.jrolympicskills.com to learn more about the Junior Olympic Skills Competition. Winners from this local qualifying event will advance to a regional competition in Anthem in June.
Kids on the Run!
Sechrist Elementary on Thursday afternoons is where you will find Team USA Arizona Athletes. Every week, young students rush out of school to be a part of the the Kids on the Run Program. Trina Painter, the leader of this club, has given kids the opportunity to be physically active and make running a fun sport. Jumping through hoops, crawling over barriers and racing around the playground all energize the students and give them the physical activity they crave. Team USA Arizona Athletes are there to give encouragement, teach proper running form and hand out healthy snacks at the end of a long, but fun, workout.
Mike Smith shares at Coconino High School
Teaching younger generations and giving them inspiration to reach their dreams is important in building a foundation for a better world. When Team USA Arizona Athlete Mike Smith was approached with the opportunity to speak to a group of young adults, he met the challenge will full interest and made it special for the high schoolers. Both Coconino HS and the Center for High Altitude Training were very appreciative of the time and message Mike Smith brought to students.
NAU Track & Field Meets:
Team USA Arizona Athletes regularly volunteer at Track & Field meets held at the Walkup Skydome hosted by Northern Arizona University. As part of giving back to the community, Team USA Arizona Athletes have enjoyed volunteering their time and energy to assist in the production of several indoor meets this winter.
Friday Night Challenge (1/25/08)
Mountain T's Invitational (2/2/08)
Native American Youth Clinic
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On a sunny Tuesday afternoon at the NAU Track and Field Complex, Team USA Arizona Athletes had the opportunity to reach out to a community outside of Flagstaff. High School Athletes from Northern Arizona schools such as Hopi and Tuba City made the trip to Flagstaff for a day filled with inspirational and educational events. Before noon, the athletes had the privilege of hearing from one of the most decorated Native American athletes of all-time, Billy Mills. Mills, who was the 1964 Olympic Gold Medallist at 10,000m in Tokyo, spoke to the young runners about his life and his training, sharing stories to inspire these young adults.
After a quick lunch, the athletes made their way to the NAU Track for a short afternoon workout and instructional session with Coach McMillan and Team USA Arizona. Having been kept indoors all day, the runners were eager to stretch their legs. Before they knew it, Coach McMillan had them running laps, practicing breathing techniques and their cadence (the number of foot strikes in a given period of time). Team USA Arizona athletes were there to guide the runners along, shouting encouragement and tips for better performance. Once the workout was finished, a question and answer session began.
The afternoon was a great experience for both the Northern Arizona High School runners and Team USA Arizona. It was amazing to see the talent in this group and the potential they all possess. Working with young runners is always an honor and Team USA Arizona wishes to thank the runners for their visit and eagerness to learn as well as the NAU Center for High Altitude Training for allowing us to be a part of this great event.
Sechrist Elementary - DARE Program
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After a quick lap around the playground, Team USA Arizona athletes talked with the students about the importance of staying away from drugs.
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As part of our commitment to live a well-balanced life, Team USA Arizona enjoys giving back to the community through service activities such as the Sechrist Elementary DARE Program.
Four Corners/The Peaks - High School Cross Country Meets
Team USA Arizona athletes volunteered at Flagstaff's two largest cross country meets. Brianna Torres, Mike Smith, Brett Gotcher, Mike Hanlon and Greg McMillan donated their time and energy to assist with the production of these two meets working as course officials and awards presenters.
Along with community involvement, Team USA Arizona strives to support distance running for younger athletes through volunteering at races, mentorship and volunteer coaching positions at local schools.
