Posted 4 June 2025 at 7:01 am

Editor:

Chad Kroening is a mainstay at Medina games, taking photos of students and coaches.

Photography has the incredible ability to freeze moments in time, transforming them into treasured memories.

Medina Mustang Sports Boosters is fortunate to have an instrumental volunteer, Chad Kroening, to capture these moments. Chad is a father of four with a full-time job and still finds time to donate numerous hours to the organization.

Rain, shine, wind or snow, he travels around the campus to attend home games of all of the sports throughout the year as well as multiple away games. Mr. Kroening spends countless hours capturing, editing and sharing photographs. He ensures that families get the best possible images of their children and posts on the Mustang Sports Boosters social media for all families to enjoy, free of charge.

In addition to his photography skills, Chad creates a sense of belonging in the Medina community. His work helps highlight the dedication of not only the athletes but also the coaches and supporters behind the scenes. The impact of his work goes far beyond the photographs themselves; it strengthens bonds among families and friends.

Chad’s impact on the Medina Mustang sports programs is truly invaluable. He embodies the spirit of community and youth sports. The board of directors of the Medina Mustang Sports Boosters are incredibly grateful for his time, energy and unwavering support and appreciate his Mustang Pride.

Board of Directors for Medina Sports Boosters

Upcoming youth camps

June 9-11: FPC Kids Cheer Camp, at FPC 800 gym, grades 2-8, 9 a.m.-noon. Learn cheers, dances, stunts. Cost: $110, snacks provided, T-shirts on final day. Bring water bottle tennis shoes. Information: [email protected]

June 16-18: Flagler Palm Coast Baseball Camp, ages 7-12, at FPC softball field, 9 a.m. to noon. Cost, $150 includes camp shirt. Information: [email protected]

June 16-18: Matanzas Youth Football Clinic, incoming grades 6-8, at Matanzas High School, 8-11 a.m. Cost: $100. bring money for merchandise and snacks, pizza and treats last day. Information: [email protected]

June 16-19: FPC Boys Basketball Camp, incoming grades 5-9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cost: $125 includes T-shirt, last-day pizza party. Information: https://tinyurl.com/YC362A6D

I have been coaching a youth running team for 14 years now. 27 seasons. 570 practices. Hundreds of Personal Records set, and just as many smashed. Thousands of miles. My first team had seven runners and the roster grew over the years to a steady 60-ish. I have had the pleasure of coaching hundreds of kids and working with dozens of other coaches.

On Thursday, I ran my last 5k with the team: an epic, hilly, twisty, creek-splashing trail run in West Chester called the Trail Blazer. I can’t imagine a better place to wrap up.

Here are some of the things I learned while coaching these runners.

— Running is a forever sport. As you get older, there are fewer opportunities to play football, hockey, or soccer. First, because you’re old. Second, because your schedule fills up, so finding a league that fits your busy life is hard. All you need to keep running, though, is a decent pair of shoes and a place to wear them out. Running is also a global sport, so pretty much anywhere you go, you will be able to find a community of runners.

If you find yourself halfway across the country and want to make some friends fast, try the local running store.

— Just because kids are young, doesn’t mean they can’t lead. Every season I have watched runners stop to help someone who was struggling, heard teammates pay compliments to someone who worked through something hard, and had runners tell me that someone else had a tough day at school and could use a boost. At our 5ks, when there are out-and-back sections, the runners on their way back are cheering on their teammates as loudly as the runners on their way out, even though yelling makes running harder. This team has always carried itself.

If you give a third, fourth, or fifth grader the opportunity to inspire others, they will probably end up inspiring you.

— Running is both the easiest and hardest sport there is. It is so easy, most people learn to run before they can even say, “mama.” But it is so hard that coaches of other sports use it as a punishment for their athletes.

In this way, running is like character: You build it one challenging moment at a time.

— I have had some really fast runners over the years, but the chances of me coaching a future Olympian were always basically zero. The chances that I might coach someone who would someday coach youth sports were 100%. I have already had several of my runners return to coach the team with me as high schoolers (and they’re always the runners’ favorite coaches).

It is impossible to describe how it feels to see the runners I knew as third graders mature into the kind of men and women who want to inspire younger runners.

— If you really want to create a winning team, start by being positive all the time. At the end of our practices, we gave out dog tags to a few runners who had done something special at practice. One season, at the first practice, I asked for people to join me for optional sprints. Only five runners joined me. I gave them all dog tags. A week later when I offered optional sprints at the end of practice, every runner put their toe on the line.

That team ended up being the fastest one I had coached up till then.

— I have learned from 26 previous seasons that the first day we don’t have practice is the hardest for coaches. So it was that on Friday at 3:25, when my alarm didn’t tell me to put on my sneakers and leave the office, I felt bereft of the opportunity to see an incredible group of kids do something extraordinary on an otherwise unremarkable weekday afternoon.

I am extremely thankful to all of the coaches I have worked with over the years, and to the parents who thought, “Yeah, I bet my kid would like spending 90 minutes running after school,” for sending your kids our way. But most of all, I am thankful to the runners for pouring their hearts into this team. I’ve known for years that I was getting as much out of this program as they were. In truth, probably more.

Originally Published: June 4, 2025 at 11:01 AM EDT

The Printscape Pony League World Series, one of youth baseball’s most celebrated international tournaments, is proud to announce Dick’s Sporting Goods as the Presenting Sponsor and Official Sporting Goods Retailer of the World Series.

This partnership aligns two organizations with roots in Southwestern Pennsylvania who are fully committed to supporting youth sports. Dick’s Sporting Goods, a leading U.S. based full-line omni-channel sporting goods retailer, brings its long-standing commitment to youth athletics to the Printscape PONY League World Series, a tournament that has showcased the best 13- and 14-year-old baseball talent from around the globe since 1952.

“At Dick’s, supporting youth sports is at the heart of what we do,” said Mark Rooks, VP of Creative, Sponsorships & Entertainment at Dick’s Sporting Goods. “With this partnership, it’s an honor to help create opportunities for these players to grow, compete and be part of something bigger than themselves. We’re looking forward to another season of incredible play!”

With these designations, Dick’s Sporting Goods will enhance the overall fan and player experience via on-site activation while supporting tournament operations and outreach initiatives. The company’s sponsorship will also be visible through a mixture of physical and digital assets associated with the event, including prominent signage, television and livestreaming elements, and social media.

“We have enjoyed a great historical relationship with Dick’sSporting Goods are excited for our partnership with them as the World Series Presenting Sponsor and Official Sporting Goods Retailer,” said Nathan Voytek, World Series President & Chairman. “Their dedication to youth sports and strong ties to the Pittsburgh community make them a vital partner in our efforts to grow the tournament and elevate the experience for both players and fans.”

The 2025 Printscape PONY League World Series will take place Aug. 8-13 at Historic Lew Hays PONY Field in Washington, Pa. 10 teams from around the world will compete to be crowned World Series champion in front of more than 30,000 fans, with thousands more tuning in through live television broadcasts and digital streaming platforms.

For more information on the Printscape PONY League World Series, visit plws.org. To learn more about Dick’s Sporting Goods, visit dicks.com.

Printscape PONY League World Series

The Printscape PONY League World Series is an international youth baseball tournament played annually at Lew Hays PONY Field in Washington, PA. The World Series annually attracts over 30,000 fans and contributes over $6.3 million to the regional economy, with all games livestreamed domestically and internationally. The tournament represents PONY Baseball’s 13- and 14-year-old age division. PONY has over 500,000 players ages 3-23 in more than 50 countries. More information is available at plws.org.

About DICK’S Sporting Goods

DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) creates confidence and excitement by inspiring, supporting and personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, the leading omnichannel retailer serves athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in more than 850 DICK’S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Public Lands and Going Going Gone! stores, online, and through the DICK’S mobile app. DICK’S also owns and operates DICK’S House of Sport and Golf Galaxy Performance Center, as well as GameChanger, a youth sports mobile platform for live streaming, scheduling, communications and scorekeeping.

Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, DICK’S has been a longtime champion for youth sports and, together with its Foundation, has donated millions of dollars to support under-resourced teams and athletes through the Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about DICK’S business, corporate giving and employment opportunities can be found on dicks.com, investors.dicks.com, sportsmatter.org, dickssportinggoods.jobs and on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.

The Carbon Events and Recreation Complex (CERCUT) is inviting young athletes across the region to lace up their sneakers and join in on a series of summer sports camps geared toward youth ages 4 to 12.

Four camps are scheduled throughout June and July, each focusing on a different sport. The goal is to teach fundamentals, encourage physical activity and help young participants build confidence on and off the field. Each camp is $40 and registration is open now at Carbonrec.com.

The summer lineup kicks off with soccer camp, scheduled for June 23–25 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Participants will be introduced to the basics of the game, including dribbling, passing and teamwork in a structured yet playful setting.

Next up is flag football, set for June 30 through July 2, also from 8:30 to 11 a.m. The non-contact format makes the camp safe and accessible, while still offering the excitement and strategy of traditional football.

Volleyball camp will take place July 14–16, continuing the 8:30 a.m. start time and wrapping up at 11 a.m. That same afternoon, from 1 to 3 p.m., CERCUT will also offer an inclusive volleyball camp, welcoming athletes of all abilities to participate in a supportive and adaptive environment.

The final camp on the schedule is basketball, which will run July 21–23 from 8:30 to 11 a.m., followed once again by an inclusive camp from 1 to 3 p.m. The sessions will focus on the fundamentals of dribbling, shooting, passing and court awareness.

The camps are about more than just learning a sport. These camps are a chance for kids to get outside, meet new friends and grow through play. It’s about building confidence and having fun while learning the basics of the game.

Parents are encouraged to register early, as space is limited. For more information or to sign up, visit Carbonrec.com.