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2024 High School Scholar-Athlete Awards
Crossover Mission and Kenny Holmes Foundation Announce
New Partnership to Support Local Youth
Vero Beach – Crossover Mission is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Kenny Holmes Foundation, uniting two local organizations dedicated to empowering youth through sports, mentoring, and academic support. This collaboration brings together community leaders Antoine Jennings, Co-Founder and Director of Operations at Crossover Mission, and Kenneth “Kenny” Holmes, a former NFL defensive end and founder of the Kenny Holmes Foundation. Both Antoine and Kenny are natives of Vero Beach.
Led by a dedicated staff and team of volunteer mentors, this partnership will leverage Crossover's 40,000 square foot, newly-renovated Center for Excellence to provide a comprehensive academic support system for local youth. It underscores the importance of the “It Takes a Village” approach to raising children and teens, emphasizing that working together creates stronger communities.
The collaboration is rooted in the shared belief that academic success is fundamental to developing healthy, prosperous, and civic-minded adults. By combining our resources and expertise, we’re ready to make an even greater impact in our community.
“Coming together will be a blessing for the children and teens of Indian River County for many years to come,” says Kenny Holmes. Antoine Jennings adds, “It is important that we, the adults, show that we can work together in the best interest of these kids. ‘It takes a village’ is more than just a slogan. They are not our kids, but Gods.”
The mentoring programs offered by Crossover Mission and the Kenny Holmes Foundation are designed to enhance the personal and academic development of young athletes. Research shows having a coach as a mentor significantly increases the likelihood of completing high school and college, demonstrating the positive impact of mentorship beyond participation in sports. Coach mentors provide essential guidance and support, encouraging academic persistence and success for youth, regardless of their baseline academic performance. This initiative aims to harness the power of mentorship to foster resilience, determination, and a commitment to excellence in student athletes.
Crossover Mission and Kenny Holmes Foundation are seeking support to kickstart their collaboration. The organizations aim to raise $10,000 to fund essential program resources, including after-school transportation and one-to-one tutoring. Contributions from the community will play a crucial role in providing the youth with the tools they need to succeed both on and off the basketball court and football field.
For further information, interviews, or media inquiries, please contact: Triana Romero, Director of Development, 772.257.5400, [email protected]. Your support and coverage of this important initiative are greatly appreciated.
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Indian River State College Wins 2024 D1 World Series Title
Fort Pierce – The Indian River State College Softball team etched the Pioneers’ name into the NJCAA history books, winning the 2024 NJCAA Division I Softball World Series. The Pioneers emerged victorious from the elimination bracket and defeated the tournament’s top-seeded team, McLennan, twice at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama.
The Indian River State Pioneers secured the coveted national title, after a hard-fought 6-5 triumph, followed by a decisive 3-0 victory. Their extraordinary World Series win culminated in a stellar 57-10 record (.851 winning percentage) for the season.
The triumph marks the second time the Indian River State College Softball team has captured the national championship, with their previous title dating back to 2002. The team’s World Series win followed their win of the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Softball Championship in May.
“Congratulations to the Indian River State College softball team on an amazing season culminating with the Division I World Series title,” said Dr. Timothy Moore, Indian River State College president. “Coach Atkinson and the players showed tremendous teamwork, determination, and skill to bring home the win. We are so proud of them. The entire college community celebrates this team and their extraordinary accomplishment!”
“This is a very special group, and they worked incredibly hard to win the World Series,” said Indian River State College head coach Dale Atkinson. “I couldn’t be prouder of this team, whose remarkable performance on the field shows their tremendous heart and talent.”
Indian River State’s J’Dah Girigorie was named Pitcher of the Tournament and MVP. Girigorie threw 43.2 innings in the World Series and struck out 50 batters. She also had a 1,000 fielding percentage and three hits. Adrianna Portanova was named Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Indian River State’s Dale Atkinson earned the Karen L. Sykes Coach of the Tournament.
Season highlights include the following:
The Pioneers achieved 57 wins this season, marking the most in two decades and a historic milestone for the program.
With 287 stolen bases, the team led the nation, highlighted by Cassidy Patterson’s state-leading 76 stolen bases.
The Pioneers recorded 447 strikeouts, the highest in the nation, with J'dah Girigorie contributing an impressive 311 strikeouts to lead the state.
Four players were named to the World Series All-Tournament Team: Presley Smith, Adrianna Portanova, Cassidy Patterson, and J'dah Girigorie.
Two players were honored as NFCA All-Americans, with J'dah Girigorie earning a 1st Team spot and Cassidy Patterson making the 2nd Team.
The team secured their 4th state title in the program's history.
This season, the Pioneers celebrated their 2nd national title in the program's history.
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Unlock Lower Scores Are you Setting the Right Tone?
Walking along the fairway to your second with a clear sight of your ball is an extremely satisfying experience.
Do you often have to you search for your tee shot in the thick stuff during a round? Let’s change that.
Percentage tee shot
Put yourself in the fairway, even if it means a longer second.
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Hit the fairway with every yard of distance you’re capable of.
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In many ways, the par on a hole is misleading and not especially relevant. Each hole holds a particular set of challenges you need to navigate. If you’re shooting in the 90s it helps to break that challenge down into three parts.
If you’re shooting in the 90s, whenever you stand-up on the tee box, don’t think about the ‘par’. Look at what’s in front of you. Think back from the center of the green (from where you’re planning two-putts) and plot a journey of makeable shots.
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In golf, there’s a lot we can’t control. Aspects like weather, pin location, hole elevation and turf conditions are what they are. But there is something we can control: how your equipment fits your swing, build and preferences. A few small changes can transform your enjoyment and performance.
Did you know?
If the face alignment on your putter is out by just 1°, you’ll likely miss a 10-foot putt, even with accurate aim.
A 0.05 increase in smash factor for a golfer with an average swing speed of 85mph, can add up to 10 yards to their drives.
A fitting is one of the best ways for us to identify the areas of your game that could benefit from slight adjustments. When last were you fitted?
Everyone gains
Skill level is not a determiner of who should get fitted. Every golfer benefits from a fitting, from complete beginner to life-long veteran. Why not experience the difference for yourself?
Sit Less, Swing Better Restore the Rhythm
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Is your swing feeling stiff? Are you sitting for several hours a day? Your shoulders could be part of the problem. The anatomical term for your shoulder blades is “scapulae”. Your upper arm bone – the humerus – connects to your scapula. They work together to help you make a full shoulder rotation and swing on plane. This interaction is called “scapulohumeral rhythm”.
Sitting too much messes with this rhythm because it pulls your shoulders forward, disrupting the scapula muscles, causing them to tilt and become unstable. When this happens, your golf swing will be restricted and you may experience pain at your shoulder blades.