Kara Pinato Scro Joins USET Foundation as Assistant Executive Director
Photo by DG Photography “I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Kara to the USET Foundation as our new Assistant Executive Director,” said Jenkins, Executive Director, USET Foundation. “Kara’s deep connection to equestrian sport, coupled with her extensive experience in public relations, marketing, and strategic communications, makes her an exceptional addition to our team. Her proven […]
“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Kara to the USET Foundation as our new Assistant Executive Director,” said Jenkins, Executive Director, USET Foundation. “Kara’s deep connection to equestrian sport, coupled with her extensive experience in public relations, marketing, and strategic communications, makes her an exceptional addition to our team. Her proven ability to build meaningful relationships and foster engagement aligns perfectly with our mission, and her passion for supporting high-performance equestrian sport is evident. We are confident that Kara will play a pivotal role in advancing our efforts, particularly as we strive to meet the ambitious goals of our ‘Pathway to the Podium’ campaign. Her unique mix of professional expertise and personal dedication will undoubtedly help shape the future of the USET Foundation.”
As the philanthropic partner to US Equestrian (USEF), the USET Foundation supports the competition, training, coaching, travel, and educational needs of the United States’ elite and developing international high-performance athletes and horses to sustain competitive excellence now and in the future. In the near term, Scro will play an integral role in the USET Foundation’s fundraising initiative, “Pathway to the Podium,” which has a million goal to propel USEF athletes to podium placings at the upcoming 2026 FEI World Championships, the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and beyond.
A lifelong equestrian, Scro brings more than 15 years of experience in public relations and integrated marketing, having held several vice president roles and leadership positions at public relations agencies in New York, New York. Focusing on multi-channel communications strategy, narrative development, and thought leadership, she has guided clients ranging from fast-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies, helping them effectively engage with and drive advocacy among target audiences. Most recently, Scro worked with Jump Media, where she spearheaded communications programs for equestrian clients, including the USET Foundation.
The experienced Kara Pinato Scro has joined the USET Foundation team as Assistant Executive Director
The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel, and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.
Gladstone, NJ — The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation announced that Kara Pinato Scro has joined the organization as Assistant Executive Director. In this newly created role reporting to Executive Director Bonnie Jenkins, Scro will oversee the delivery of the organization’s programs and ensure its goals are met.
Scro received her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Communications and Media Arts and Design from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She resides in New Jersey with her husband, son, and dog.
“I am very excited to blend my professional expertise with my personal passion for high-performance equestrian sport,” stated Scro. “My interest in horses and competition was piqued as a young child after attending an event at the USET Foundation’s headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey. Having the chance to make a tangible impact within the sport I love is a full-circle moment in my career. I look forward to working alongside the incredible team at the USET Foundation, its dedicated donors, and our USEF partners to support our talented U.S. athletes and teams — including those who might not have the opportunity to represent the country without the funding provided by the USET Foundation — in our collective journey toward ensuring U.S. equestrian prominence on the world stage.”
87-year-old Central Florida woman still competes in track and field
If you need help with the Public File, call (407) 291-6000 At WKMG, we are committed to informing and delighting our audience. In our commitment to covering our communities with innovation and excellence, we incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance our news gathering, reporting, and presentation processes. Read our article to see how we […]
If you need help with the Public File, call (407) 291-6000
At WKMG, we are committed to informing and delighting our audience. In our commitment to covering our communities with innovation and excellence, we incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance our news gathering, reporting, and presentation processes. Read our article to see how we are using Artificial Intelligence.
Quentin Nauman wins second national track and field title
The past few months have been incredible for Western Dubuque High School sensation Quentin Nauman. Along with capturing four state championships earlier this year, Nauman won the HOKA Festival of Miles in St. Louis. But over the weekend, Nauman won perhaps his biggest race of the year. Running on his future track at Hayward Field […]
The past few months have been incredible for Western Dubuque High School sensation Quentin Nauman.
Along with capturing four state championships earlier this year, Nauman won the HOKA Festival of Miles in St. Louis. But over the weekend, Nauman won perhaps his biggest race of the year.
Running on his future track at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, Nauman won the mile at the Nike Outdoor Nationals/USA Track and Field U20 Championships.
The senior-to-be clocked a time of 4:00.52 to win by just .01 second over Evan Noonan running for the Nike Elite Club. Nauman, a 17-year-old, was also ninth in the 800 at the meet, which features the best athletes in the country.
Nauman won gold at the Iowa high school state track and field championships in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200, along with running on the winning distance medley relay. He swept the four races as a sophomore and is also a multi-time Drake Relays champion.
Nauman has already committed to run at Oregon when he exhausts his high school eligibility.
Parkway Central freshman takes fifth at state tennis tournament | Sports
Parkway Central Colts freshman Arhan Meka finished fifth in his first state boys tennis tournament. Parkway Central Colts freshman Arhan Meka with Colts coach Lee Hays. (Photo provided) Provided Coach Lee Hayes was happy to have Meka join his program. “I had heard of him through the kids on the team and some teaching pros,” […]
Parkway Central Colts freshman Arhan Meka finished fifth in his first state boys tennis tournament.
Parkway Central Colts freshman Arhan Meka with Colts coach Lee Hays. (Photo provided)
Provided
Coach Lee Hayes was happy to have Meka join his program.
“I had heard of him through the kids on the team and some teaching pros,” Hays said. “He was young and impressive as a player.”
Meka went 17-2 in the regular season and in districts. His only two losses were to Eureka senior and Class 3 state singles runner-up and Webster Groves’ Paul Castleman, the Class 2 singles runner-up.
In the Class quarterfinals, Meka lost 6-2, 6-2 to Castleman.
“Castleman really wanted the match,” Hays said. “He raised his level and played exceptionally well against Arhan.”
Meka then rebounded with three wins to finish fifth. Meka defeated Noah Blum, of Warrensburg, 6-1, 7-5 to finish in fifth place.
His strong effort at state impressed Hays.
“He is not a quitter,” Hays said. “Though disappointed, he finished strong. To be 14 and be this solid of a player, he will be fun to watch. If he stays with it and is healthy, he will be a player we will all enjoy watching.”
Meet the High Divers of the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025
Up next in the Women’s competition is Maya Kelly. Maya achieved a 6th place finish at the World Aquatics High Diving World Cup 2024 in Bahrain, Manama and is excited to compete in Singapore 2025. We put Maya into the question-and-answer hot seat. Here’s what we got from her: Image Source: Maya Kelly competes at […]
Up next in the Women’s competition is Maya Kelly. Maya achieved a 6th place finish at the World Aquatics High Diving World Cup 2024 in Bahrain, Manama and is excited to compete in Singapore 2025.
We put Maya into the question-and-answer hot seat. Here’s what we got from her:
Image Source: Maya Kelly competes at the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2023- Polignano a Mare, Italy (Romina Amato/Red Bull via Getty Images)
Maya finds beauty in architecture, and one landmark stands out to her is Copenhagen Opera House“I do find the Opera House really cool in Copenhagen, so I think I would like that,” she shared. A dive with the iconic building as a backdrop would be a spectacular sight!
Though her competition experience is just beginning, Maya has a favorite. “Probably Bahrain,” she said, referring to her current World Cup event in Bahrain. Her only other major competition was in Montreal during her junior years, but “that was indoors,” so this outdoor adventure takes the top spot.
Maya finds her competitive focus with the help of music—and she’s a proud Swiftie! “Probably anything by Taylor Swift,” she revealed about her go-to playlist. “I have a specific meet playlist I listen to before every competition.” Swift’s empowering lyrics and catchy tunes help set the mood.
Image Source: Maya Kelly competes at the Junior High Diving Championship at JK Bridge 2024- Brasilia, Brazil (Wagner Meier/Getty Images)
Among her repertoire, one dive stands out as her favorite. “Probably my backflip pike,” Maya said. While she didn’t compete with it at Bahrain 2024 World Cup, it remains her personal signature move, showcasing her grace and precision in the air.
Attend water polo tournament on the waters of Oswego Lake this weekend
Attend water polo tournament on the waters of Oswego Lake this weekend Published 4:20 pm Monday, June 23, 2025 The tournament was held for the first time in 2024. (Courtesy photo: Lake Oswego Open Water Polo Invitational) Those strolling near Millennium Plaza Park and Lakewood Bay this weekend may notice splashing and excitement emanating from […]
Attend water polo tournament on the waters of Oswego Lake this weekend
Published 4:20 pm Monday, June 23, 2025
The tournament was held for the first time in 2024.
(Courtesy photo: Lake Oswego Open Water Polo Invitational)
Those strolling near Millennium Plaza Park and Lakewood Bay this weekend may notice splashing and excitement emanating from the Oswego Lake waters near the Lakeshore Inn.
The Lake Corporation and the Lake Oswego Water Polo Organization are organizing the second annual Lake Oswego Open Water Polo Invitational from Friday, June 27 to Sunday, June 29 at a sectioned-off course on Lakewood Bay near the Lakeshore Inn.
The event will feature teams from the local water polo club (which includes athletes from Lake Oswego High School and Lakeridge High School) as well as squads from areas such as San Diego, Seattle, Portland and Beaverton.
Organizer Katy Brown said the idea was hatched due in part to the success of the local water polo teams and wanting to provide a community event while highlighting a sport that is often overlooked in the Pacific Northwest. The area of play had never been used as a water polo course before, but Brown said it worked well.
“It far exceeded our expectations,” Brown said of last year’s event. “We got great feedback from the water polo club and the community.”
The Lake Oswego Water Polo Organization consists of more than 100 kids ranging in age from 8 through 18. It includes competitive teams with a range of ages that compete year-round, club director Daniel Ramirez said. A number of teams recently qualified for the Junior Olympics.
“We have the best depth (in the Pacific Northwest) and it’s a real testament to the kids, the coaching staff and the community we have built,” Ramirez said. “Our kids like being a part of our club. They are proud to be local athletes. They like our coaching staff, enjoy competing for us and the community we bring.”
Competitive water polo players have to be very strong swimmers who are able to stay in the water for minutes on end while being grabbed by opponents, and Ramirez said the sport promotes swimming skills and confidence.
“The intense exercise allowed me to perform much better academically. It taught me discipline, and the twelve years of practice taught me time management to also keep up with my school work,” Lakeridge High school graduate Adrienne Medak said in a press release.
Ramirez said an event like this gives exposure to the sport while providing an opportunity for the kids to get more recognition.
For more information on the event, visit https://lowpoopenwaterinvitational2025-n53399.mystrikingly.com/#home.
Will Taylor's minor league baseball journey brought him back to Greenville for the weekend
Former Dutch Fork and Clemson standout Will Taylor is now a member of the Greenville Grasshoppers, part of the Pirates organization. GREENVILLE, S.C. — Will Taylor was back in familiar territory this past weekend. The Dutch Fork graduate is in his first full season of professional baseball. A fifth round draft pick by the Pirates […]
Former Dutch Fork and Clemson standout Will Taylor is now a member of the Greenville Grasshoppers, part of the Pirates organization.
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Will Taylor was back in familiar territory this past weekend.
The Dutch Fork graduate is in his first full season of professional baseball. A fifth round draft pick by the Pirates in the 2024 MLB Draft, Taylor started his career at the Single A affiliate in Bradenton, Florida before being called him to Greensboro, the High A affiliate of the Pirates.
That promotion brought him to the Upstate as Greensboro faced the Greenville Drive at Fluor Field where Taylor has played before during his days at Clemson.
In his first two seasons at Clemson, Taylor played football and baseball. Taylor came to the Tiger program as a quarterback with the plant for him to move to wide receiver. As a freshman in 2021, he was the team’s primary punt returner before suffering a season ending knee injury which set him back at bit in the spring for baseball.
In 2024, Taylor had made the decision to concentrate on baseball and last April, he injured his wrist while diving for a foul ball and that broken bone in his wrist kept him out of the lineup for the rest of the season.
But in spite of those setbacks, Taylor looks back on his time at Clemson with great fondness as he was one of the occassional athletes who played two sports in college at a high level.
