A longtime soccer coach and his wife of more than 20 years have opened a youth “ninja gym” in Santa Maria.

From cargo nets to rock walls, the new facility features a series of obstacle courses that offer students different physical challenges.

Owners Djibril and Rashawna Coulibaly say the gym is designed to help kids develop skills in balance, jumping, climbing, and more.

Djibril has coached soccer for more than two decades and says he’s noticed a lack when it comes to athletic fundamentals.

He found that kids were good at their respective sports, but needed an outlet to become better all-around athletes. Then one evening, he had an ‘aha moment.’

“I was at home watching the show American Ninja Warrior, and a light bulb went off. I said, ‘Oh, that would be great to have a gym like that where a youth can actually come in and do all these kinds of movements,’” said Djibril.

From there, the Coulibalys began their research and came across the USA Ninja Challenge franchise. The couple liked the program’s curriculum and gym layout, so they decided to open a facility of their own.

It can be found on the second floor of the Santa Maria Town Center.

When asked why they chose Santa Maria as the location for the gym, Rashawna replied, “This is the community I’ve grown up in. My husband and I have been married for over 22 years, and we wanted to bring something here to our community.”

The gym is currently open to students ages 4 to 17, and kids of all skill levels are welcome.

“The idea is to really meet every child—every student—wherever they are, and to try to help them progress from there,” said Djibril, “The classes are set up in a way so that each student is able to progress at their own pace with the support of the coaches that are leading them.”

Beyond the athletic training, the Coulibalys say their program aims to help kids gain more confidence in themselves.

Djibril says his experience in coaching has shown him how effective sports can be at helping children raise their self-esteem, and become better people in general.

Rashawna told KSBY she is most excited to “see children excel—bottom line.”

“Watching them walk out of the doors with such confidence is just my greatest joy,” she said.

Since opening on Dec. 20, the owners say they’re receiving very positive reactions.

“We’re seeing a lot of excitement,” said Djibril. “The kids come in, and you can see their faces just light up because, I mean, what kid doesn’t want to climb and jump and skip and do all these things?”

The ninja gym—fit with mats, foam, and carpet—provides children with a safe space to engage in such activities, Djibril told KSBY.

Classes, camps, and even parties can all be booked on the gym’s website, or by calling (805)-268-7795.

First-trial classes are also reportedly offered at no charge.

By Rick Assad

Karisma Mendez doesn’t stand out in one sport but the senior at Burroughs High has drawn attention in two sports.

A gifted and polished infielder for the softball team, she has also distinguished herself on the first-ever flag football team as a quarterback for the Bears.

Mendez’s play was noticed and was selected to play for Mexico in the recently played Friendship Bowl.

“Becoming a part of the Friendship Bowl team for Mexico came from when one of their managers got in contact with one of the softball parents who told my mom that they were looking for a flag football player to play alongside with the team and had a Mexican family background,” she said. “The experience I had with the girls was amazing and such a once in a lifetime experience.”

Mendez, who plays second base and shortstop, added: “The players and coaches were very welcoming, and it was such a great atmosphere as it felt like family when playing with them,” she noted.

Mendez, who also played wide receiver and linebacker, stood out on the gridiron because she’s quick with the pass after tossing 25 touchdowns but also ready to run when it’s necessary after averaging 30.5 yards a game and scoring five touchdowns during the season.

“I loved every single moment playing flag football my senior year. Our team had such great chemistry with each other and we all had so much fun as we were learning the game throughout the season together,” she said. “I believe the best highlights of this season was when we figured out what we were capable of doing and accomplished it towards the end of the season.”

Mendez, who helped the Bears to an 11-13 record, continued: “Being able to throw around 35 to 40 yards and the girls being able to receive them,” she said. “That’s when our connections hit the most.”

Keith Knoop is the Burroughs athletic director and its flag football coach and previously its football coach.

“Karisma is such a fantastic person. She took to girls’ flag football like a bird to flight,” he explained. “Girls’ flag football truly lit a fire in her to love this new phenomenon known as flag football. She was determined to be good and competitive and learn the game. Honestly, she made me excited to coach again.”

Playing softball and later flag football was something Mendez, who will attend college but probably won’t play softball, had in her sights and relished.

“I wanted to play softball in high school because of my life revolving around this sport and all my free time indulging and preparing for games and practices. My siblings played for Burroughs. My sister played softball, and my brother played baseball. I was influenced by myself to become better at them, because of my competitiveness” she said. “As for flag football, I wanted to try something new. I knew my siblings played one season when they were in middle school, so I wanted to test it out and see if I was also able to play. Turns out I was right! But in all seriousness, I wanted to play flag football as it’s a growing sport at the moment especially now that women are getting more recognition playing sports.”

Mendez went on: “Seeing football players wear shirts that encourage those to watch girls’ flag football and seeing the Olympics adding flag football is amazing and now seeing that softball is finally getting a league that is sponsored by MLB,” she said. “It’s great seeing more and more recognition of women’s sports overall.”

Playing two sports takes time, skill and effort and it also requires being patient and analytical.

“To prepare for both softball and flag football I will usually visually manifest what my performance would be to the very breath. I would visualize my swing from gripping the bat to the weather on my skin to the sound of the dugout, and the feeling when hitting,” Mendez acknowledged. “Same goes for flag football, visualizing my grip when throwing, the feeling of the turf, the windows that are possible with the plays, and making that throw to the wide receivers’ hands. Every sport comes down to being a mental game.”

Mendez is about to play her final season on the softball field and she expects it to be rewarding.

“Playing softball has been such an experience with me as I grew up. My entire life revolves around this sport. Starting when I was four years old playing travel ball to now finishing my career during the spring of my senior year,” she said. “I have loved this sport and there were times I had dreaded this sport but yet there has never been a dull moment while playing this sport.”

Mendez continued: “Softball is such a mental game that takes a toll on you, but in the end it is a game you play along with some of your best friends,” she stated. “The connection the softball team has to Burroughs is such a great culture. We all have each other’s backs, and we have such great chemistry on the field.”

Doug Nicol is a longtime coach at Burroughs and has seen first-hand Mendez help the Bears to two Pacific League championships.

“I am looking forward to Karisma having a sensational senior year. She is going to be counted on to be a leader on this team,” he said. “She has won two league titles in her three years here at Burroughs, and I know how much a third would mean to her.”

Nicol knows that Mendez is determined to cap her softball career in style.

“She has been putting in the work, both on the field and in the weight room and I am excited to watch her crush it this year,” he said.

Toiling at two sports requires laser-focused dedication and that’s not counting time in the classroom.

“I believe sports helped me become a leader, a problem solver, and become a critical thinker. When playing softball, you need to know the play before the ball gets hit, knowing how many outs, what’s the situation, and know who you should throw to if you get the ball,” Mendez said. “It’s such a critical game that helps thinking on the spot and helps communicating with others.”

Mendez added: “Even if you don’t have the title of being a captain, there’s times where you might need to lead,” she stated. “Meaning helping another player, being there for them, and being vocal during games. With flag football, it helped me learn new skills, being able to adapt to a whole different game by using the same mechanics and alternate them for the better.”

Mendez is keenly aware what her strengths are and they are numerous.

“The best attributes I have both on the field and in the classroom are being a critical thinker and problem solver. There have been so many times in the classroom where I had been confused on the topic but there wouldn’t be a time I would give up,” she said. “That plays along with being on the field. I would never give up if I am in a slump as I would try and find different ways and methods to get myself out of it.”

Mendez wasn’t finished with her thought: “The best thing to do when struggling is to never give up and to keep on trying and you will find a pathway, even if it becomes bumpy,” she said.

Mendez addressed specifically how she gets out of a down period.

“When I was in a slump, I would ask for guidance from either coaches or from the girls. I wouldn’t give up on myself since I knew I had the potential. It was just a matter of fixing my attitude, my rhythm and trying something different,” she said. “Asking for guidance lets you get a perspective others are seeing that could help you solve the puzzle.”

Mendez was asked which softball game or games were the most memorable to date.

“One game that had stood out to me was playing against Crescenta Valley last year, 2025 Senior night,” she said. “I believe that had been one of the best games I had played and a game the entire team did very well. We all played our very best. We were all on our toes wanting that win for Senior Night and in the end we got that win. Another game that had stood out was a pre-season game from this fall as I hit my first home run out of the park against Notre Dame. It felt amazing finally getting that home run I’ve  been waiting for my entire high school career.”

In a few months, Mendez will begin her final season as a softball player at the high school level and it will be bittersweet.

“I believe what I will miss the most about high school and playing two different sports is the coaching staff and the girls. Playing with Coach Doug and with Coach Knoop has been such an honor as they both have been coaching for a long time at Burroughs,” she offered. “As for the girls, I have such great love for them all as they had become such amazing friends to play along with and the girls on flag football team created a great experience all together by figuring out how to play a sport, we all barely knew how to play.”

Nicol appreciates everything Mendez has brought to the softball program.

“Karisma is such a joy to coach. With Karisma, you never have to worry if she is going to come to practice ready to go,” he said. “She is dedicated to our program and comes to practice each day with intensity and ready to work hard.”

Nicol continued: “She understands that each day is a competition and realizes that she is a leader in our program who the younger girls look for guidance and to continue the culture that has been built by those before her,” he said. “She wasn’t given anything in her career here at Burroughs. She has had to earn everything, and that was only done because of her work ethic and because she is a person of high character who takes pride in giving 100 percent every single day. She is just an outstanding person who I enjoy coaching very much.”

WASHINGTON (TNND) — A Minnesota state lawmaker said Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and his administration failed to address concerns raised in a state hearing close to two years ago, which flagged daycare facilities suspected of fraud.

Minnesota State Rep. Kristin Robbins, who is making a bid for governor, shared with the New York Post, that she presented a list of daycare facilities which received over $1 million dollars in state funding with multiple violations during a February 2024 hearing.

On that list included “Quality Learning Center,” a children’s daycare center in Minneapolis which went viral last week.

Independent journalist Nick Shirley paid a visit to the daycare during a weekday and noted how the signage of the daycare center was spelled incorrectly as “Quality Learing Center.” Shirley’s video also showed how the daycare center, which according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services provided care for 99 children, was completely absent of children.

“Quality Learning Center” has received roughly $4 million in state funding, and it has racked up 95 violations from Minnesota’s DHS between 2019 to 2023. The violations include failing to have records for all the children tallied to be in their care and failing to keep hazardous items away from children.

“They can’t say they didn’t know,” Robbins said.

“We had a hearing on it. We gave them a list, and nothing has happened. I find it shocking that this is still happening when we flagged something over and over again.”

However, Department of Children, Youth, and Families Commissioner Tikki Brown told Fox 9 that all ten of the facilities featured in Shirley’s video have been visited at least once by the state in the past six months for licensing renewal purposes.

“There have been ongoing investigations with several of those centers,” Brown said. “None of those investigations have uncovered findings of fraud.”

There are a total of 55 open investigations stemming from the administration of funds from the Child Care Assistant Program.

The National News Desk reached out to Walz’s office for comment, but as of publication had not received a response. But a spokesperson from Walz’s office told Fox News Digital that the governor has been a huge proponent in cracking down on fraud such as hiring outside firms to audit payments to high-risk programs and completely shutting down the Housing Stabilization Services program.

“The governor has worked for years to crack down on fraud and ask the state legislature for more authority to take aggressive action,” the spokesperson said. “He has strengthened oversight — including launching investigations into these specific facilities, one of which was already closed.”

Skyhawks will resume play on Jan. 8 at home

Chuol Deng of Fort Lewis College looks to pass the ball while playing Western New Mexico University on Nov. 21 at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Herald file)

Jerry McBride

It’s almost 2026, which means it’s nearly time for Fort Lewis College’s basketball teams to resume their seasons.

The men’s and women’s teams will continue Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play on Jan. 8 at home against Western Colorado. Before that, now is a good time to look at which FLC basketball players have been excelling in key statistical categories. Both teams are well-rounded with multiple players excelling in different roles.

Both teams are having quality starts to their seasons, with the women at 9-3 overall and the men at 6-5 overall. Here are the FLC basketball players who rank in the top 10 in the RMAC in key categories:

FLC men’s basketball:

Chuol Deng in rebounds, steals

The FLC men’s basketball team has had multiple players in and out of the rotation due to injuries, but Deng, the fifth-year forward, hasn’t been one of them.

He’s been a consistent double-double threat with his scoring and rebounding. Deng has a great all-around scorer with his outside shooting stroke and added strength inside as a fifth-year player.

With Massal Diouf guarding centers this year, it’s allowed Deng to rebound against players his size and smaller. Therefore, it’s not surprising to see he’s second in the RMAC in rebounding at 8.6 rebounds per game, only behind Colorado Mesa’s Ty Allred at 9.4 RPG. Deng has had at least six rebounds in all 11 games this season, including 10+ in three games.

Deng was an impactful defender last season in his first year playing for head coach Jordan Mast at FLC, with his length and athleticism blocking and stealing. Deng has continued his strong work on the defensive end, ranking seventh in the RMAC with 1.6 steals per game.

As the season goes on and the games get more important, Deng will be relied upon even more, so don’t expect him to go anywhere on these lists.

Jaxon Smith in 3-point field goal percentage, 3-point field goals per game, free-throw percentage

A first-year player for FLC, Smith has made an immediate impact with his sweet shooting stroke, so it’s not hard to believe that Smith is in the top 10 in categories that require quality touch.

The redshirt sophomore guard transfer from Division I Utah State, Smith has spaced the floor for the Skyhawks and, at times, has shown finishing ability inside the arc.

Smith is sixth in the RMAC with a 3-point field goal percentage of 40.5; he’s second with 2.7 3-pointers per game, and he’s third in the RMAC with a 91.3 free-throw percentage.

FLC has dealt with plenty of injuries, so it’ll need Smith’s quality shooting more than ever down the stretch. He’s had four games with at least four 3-pointers.

Yorgio Golesis in assists per game, assist-to-turnover ratio

Yorgio Golesis of Fort Lewis College drives to the basket while playing Western New Mexico University on Nov. 21 at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Herald file)

Jerry McBride

Another first-year player for FLC, Golesis, a junior guard, has had a quality start to the year for the Skyhawks, starting at point guard.

Golesis has great speed and driving ability, which has drawn defenders and opened up his teammates for easy looks. He’s fifth in the RMAC with 4.2 assists per game, and Golesis is fifth in the RMAC with a 1.9 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Unfortunately for Golesis and the Skyhawks, he suffered a season-ending ACL tear in FLC’s win over St. Mary’s on Dec. 17. It’s a huge blow for the Skyhawks, who will need other guards to step up to replace Golesis’ playmaking.

Stewart Erhart in steals per game

Anyone who’s watched the Skyhawks over the past two seasons knew this was coming. Erhart, a redshirt sophomore, is a pest on the defensive side of the ball. He’s a big reason FLC’s pressing style works so well, since he catches opposing guards off guard with his steals.

Erhart leads the RMAC with 3.0 steals per game. He’s also increased his offensive capabilities this season, which makes his defensive efforts even more impressive since he has more on his plate this year.

Cassius Carmichael in steals per game

Another player who’s in his second year for the Skyhawks, Carmichael is a worker for the FLC defense with his motor, length and athleticism. The senior forward is eighth in the RMAC with 1.5 steals per game.

Like Deng, Carmichael has been helped by FLC having more size and bodies in its front court. His defense and experience in the RMAC tournament last season will be paramount for FLC.

FLC women’s basketball:

Katie Lamb in 3-point field goal percentage, 3-point field goals per game

Lamb impressed as a freshman last year on a bad team, and she’s shown this season she can still put up good stats on a winning team.

The sophomore guard is seventh in the RMAC with a 29.9 3-point field goal percentage, and Lamb is sixth with 2.2 3-pointers per game. She has a quick and compact release that makes it tough for defenders to cover. Lamb has made at least two 3-pointers in 10 of 12 games this season.

Makaya Porter in blocks per game, steals per game

Deniece Ryan, left, and Makaya Porter of Fort Lewis College play defense against St. Edward’s University on Nov. 18 at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Herald file)

Jerry McBride

Head coach Lauren Zuniga knew she needed to make some adjustments to her roster after finishing 6-22 overall last season. The Skyhawks needed more size, length and athleticism, so Zuniga brought in Porter to help. It’s paid off so far.

Porter has been a weapon on both sides of the floor with her height and length at 6-feet tall at the forward position. The junior is second in the conference with 1.3 blocks per game, and she’s tied-ninth in the conference with 2.1 steals per game.

She is one of two players to be in the top 10 in both blocks and steals per game in the RMAC. FLC will need her to keep up her defensive prowess as the Skyhawks play tougher competition in conference play.

Josie Davis in steals per game

Josie Davis of Fort Lewis College guards the inbound pass while playing St. Edward’s University on Nov. 18 at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Herald file)

Jerry McBride

Talking to Zuniga last season, she held Davis in high regard as a senior in high school. Now a freshman for the Skyhawks, it’s easy to see why.

Davis is third in the conference with 2.4 steals per game. She has great length for a guard and is active for the Skyhawks’ defense. On offense, Davis is efficient for any player, but especially for a freshman.

Her development over the rest of her freshman season will be fun to watch.

Natalie Guanella in steals per game

Guanella is one of the most experienced players at FLC, with it being her third year at the school and the second year with Zuniga as her coach. Therefore, the junior knows what to do on the defensive end, tied-ninth with Porter with 2.1 steals per game in the conference.

bkelly@durangoherald.com

Copy article link

Teen Lounge – Patrons in sixth-12th grades are invited each Tuesday in January from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Join us weekly for special activities, video games, snacks, crafts, board games, and more.

Thursday, Jan. 15, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Homeschool TECH BUILD: Students will have time to build a projectile launcher and explore different design options.

During this project, students will have the opportunity to follow plans to build, but also make modifications to improve the design.

This program is designed for youth second-12th grades and will be held each month in the Teen Area. Parent participation is encouraged.

KINGSFORD — Registration is open for the 2026 season of Soccer Association for Youth, Northern Michigan League.

For registration information, go to https://www.saynml.org/.

The 2025 season had nearly 1,150 registrations.

Registration is $65 per participant and closes Jan. 31.

The first season, May 26 to June 27, includes Passers, ages 6-7; Minors, ages 14-15; and Seniors, ages 16-18 (and 19 if a graduating senior).

The second season, June 29 to Aug. 7, includes Wings, ages 8-9; Strikers, ages 10-11; and Kickers, ages 12-13.

Assistance is needed in a number of areas for the 2026 SAY season, including board members. More information is available by emailing info@saynml.org.