End of Preseason

The Zips worked extremely hard this preseason and really pushed themselves thru the last couple of weeks. Each player showed improvement both in the weight room and on the track. They preserved through adversity and step it up to achieve their goals. We are all extremely excited about the upcoming practices and ready to get our season underway!!!

This year to conclude our preseason and kickoff practice we had a great team dinner at Coach Kest’s house. It is always a very entertaining time at Coach Kest’s. She loves having the team over for fun, food, and games. On this night we had lasagna and garlic bread (a team favorite). The girls ate every ounce of the lasagna. Boy, can this team eat!
After dinner we handed out our preseason awards. We wanted to recognize the athletes that showed the most improvement and the ones that consistently worked hard everyday. Below is a list of the winners.

Most Improved in Weight Room: Jasmine Mushington

Most Improved in Conditioning: Natasha Williams

Best overall in Conditioning: Rachel Tecca

Iron Zip: Kara Murphy

Also, as you can see in the pics. Coach Kest knows a few things about gadgets! Here you can see her new 90inch projector TV. Yes it has HD! Until next Time

- Coach Jackson

Women's Basketball Gives Back to the Community

The Women’s Basketball team has been provided the opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of many. To kick off the community service endeavors for the year, the team made a visit to Akron Children’s Hospital. The Hematology/Oncology Division held a “Cancer Sport Week” which allowed us the chance to socialize and get to know some of the patients who had been diagnosed with cancer. The patients were enormously upbeat and great fun to be around!! It was definitely an eye-opening and uplifting experience and makes you appreciate the blessings that you have received.

Our next event took place on at Sue Lang’s open house. Sue Lang is a Safety Communications Technician who works with 911 operators for the Akron Police Department. She has Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and her home was beginning to deteriorate beyond repair. Last April, the team was able to help in the transformation of her home by painting the living room, kitchen, hallway, and some furniture items. Being able to return once all work had been completed allowed for us to celebrate with Sue and all other helpers that had participated in the city-wide project. To see an article in the Akron Beacon Journal, go to Ohio.com, and search for the article titled, “They Are Their Sister’s Keeper.”

Most recently, the Women’s Basketball team spent time with members of the Golden Hearts senior citizen organization at Northwest Family Recreation Center on. After a few competitive games of bingo, the team and group parted ways but had been provided the chance to build long-lasting friendships.

Upcoming community outreach events:

Bridges School Basketball Clinic Oct. 8
Elementary Reading Oct. 19
Hot Meals Oct. 27
Rockynol Retirement Community Oct. 29

-Candace Wilson

Director of Basketball Operations