thedrifter
06-11-04, 10:42 AM
Keystone youths - Pa. teens are national high school physical fitness champs
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification #: 200461018542
Story by Lance Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(June 11, 2004) -- Emmaus, Pa., high schoolers exhibited winning athleticism in this year's National High School Physical Fitness Championships May 21-22 at the Depot soccer field.
Approximately 250 competitors from across the country stepped onto the field under a warm sun to perform sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, long jumps and shuttle runs.
The National High School Physical Fitness Program is a continuation of the National Youth Physical Fitness Program. The high school program is designed to give added incentive for students to continue their quest toward a healthier lifestyle, according to the United States Marines Youth Foundation Inc. Web site.
Each school fronted an A-team of seniors who proved themselves as top athletes in local and regional competition in recent months.
Emmaus' female team won with 1,700 points, and their star athlete, Li-Ping Chew, was the best female competitor, scoring 375 points out of 500.
The young men of Emmaus beat out eight other schools in the competition scoring 2,306. Andy Corch, with 488, and Nate Lagler, with 481, showed their dominance as the overall best male competitors.
"We accomplished our goals," said Matt T. Roland, Emmaus. "We came out here to do our best and put it all out there."
This was Emmaus' second first-place victory in the three years Roland has been in the program.
Even though the competition is based around the A-teams, each school brings pilot teams to prepare for next year.
Pilot teams consist of juniors and below who experience competition before their senior years.
"We have 40 kids in our school and can't compete against the public school in regular sports," said ninth-place Pittsburgh East Christian High School head coach Eric A. Romandy. "This is a big accomplishment for us. (The Youth Physical Fitness Competition) allows us to compete on an individual level."
Romandy is a former YPF competitor and is leading Pittsburgh East Christian in competition against his former high school team, Penn Hills High School.
"This is our first year ever," Romandy said. "Three of the seniors decided they wanted to enter a team this year and start a new tradition for the school."
Marines were out in modified utility uniforms to ensure the competition proceeded as planned.
"The Marines helped by yelling to keep us going," Roland said. "But they picked us up if we fell short of our goals."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004610185920/$file/girls_pushup_lr.jpg
Marines count and monitor the young women's push-ups. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20046101927/$file/Pullup_lr.jpg
Eric Fabeszewski of Penn Hills High School in Pennsylvania muscles one of his 24 pull-ups. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20046101950/$file/jumper_lr.jpg
Rolando O. Agtarap of Lanai High School in Hawaii touches down in the standing long jump competition. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/27D736A4D4DE272B85256EAF007DCC32?opendocument
The Drifter's Wife
Ellie
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification #: 200461018542
Story by Lance Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(June 11, 2004) -- Emmaus, Pa., high schoolers exhibited winning athleticism in this year's National High School Physical Fitness Championships May 21-22 at the Depot soccer field.
Approximately 250 competitors from across the country stepped onto the field under a warm sun to perform sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, long jumps and shuttle runs.
The National High School Physical Fitness Program is a continuation of the National Youth Physical Fitness Program. The high school program is designed to give added incentive for students to continue their quest toward a healthier lifestyle, according to the United States Marines Youth Foundation Inc. Web site.
Each school fronted an A-team of seniors who proved themselves as top athletes in local and regional competition in recent months.
Emmaus' female team won with 1,700 points, and their star athlete, Li-Ping Chew, was the best female competitor, scoring 375 points out of 500.
The young men of Emmaus beat out eight other schools in the competition scoring 2,306. Andy Corch, with 488, and Nate Lagler, with 481, showed their dominance as the overall best male competitors.
"We accomplished our goals," said Matt T. Roland, Emmaus. "We came out here to do our best and put it all out there."
This was Emmaus' second first-place victory in the three years Roland has been in the program.
Even though the competition is based around the A-teams, each school brings pilot teams to prepare for next year.
Pilot teams consist of juniors and below who experience competition before their senior years.
"We have 40 kids in our school and can't compete against the public school in regular sports," said ninth-place Pittsburgh East Christian High School head coach Eric A. Romandy. "This is a big accomplishment for us. (The Youth Physical Fitness Competition) allows us to compete on an individual level."
Romandy is a former YPF competitor and is leading Pittsburgh East Christian in competition against his former high school team, Penn Hills High School.
"This is our first year ever," Romandy said. "Three of the seniors decided they wanted to enter a team this year and start a new tradition for the school."
Marines were out in modified utility uniforms to ensure the competition proceeded as planned.
"The Marines helped by yelling to keep us going," Roland said. "But they picked us up if we fell short of our goals."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004610185920/$file/girls_pushup_lr.jpg
Marines count and monitor the young women's push-ups. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20046101927/$file/Pullup_lr.jpg
Eric Fabeszewski of Penn Hills High School in Pennsylvania muscles one of his 24 pull-ups. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20046101950/$file/jumper_lr.jpg
Rolando O. Agtarap of Lanai High School in Hawaii touches down in the standing long jump competition. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/27D736A4D4DE272B85256EAF007DCC32?opendocument
The Drifter's Wife
Ellie