Page 50 May 2013 ARCADIA SPORTS PAGE ARCADIA SPORTS PAGE Father-son team part of distance-running family John and Rob Reniewicki By Cristina Peralta Ambition, competition and a list of long-term goals that include competing in future Olympic games are just a few of the elements that tell the story of one student athlete, who has been running since a young age. John Reniewicki, a junior at Arcadia High School and an athlete in the track and fi eld program, comes from a family of distance runners. Both of his parents participated in track and fi eld in high school, and Reniewicki also competes with his younger sister, who is a freshman on the track team. But what makes his story unique is the relationship he has with his father, Rob Reniewicki, although most of his friends know him as Coach Reniewicki. That’s because he’s been the head coach for Arcadia’s track and cross-country team for 28 years. Reniewicki has been coaching his son John since he started running in fourth grade, and when he’s not at practice or meets with the team, he’s at home with the family. “John is driven,” Reniewicki said. “I don’t have to nudge him much to get him to do what he wants to do.” John has completed some of his best personal records since joining the track and cross-country team. He recently placed second in the 3200 meter run at the Scottsdale Distance Classic, and earlier placed sixth in the mile run in the 73rd Chandler Rotary, competing against one of the best runners in the nation. At a young age, John has adapted to the fi erce competition. In fact, it’s one of his favorite aspects of running altogether. “I’m really into the competitiveness of it and getting down to the race and having your training coming together,” John said. “I like being able to put in a good performance and have your times come when you want them. It means your training is working and the hard work is paying off.” John began to gravitate towards running when he began practicing alongside high school athletes his father coached. His father had noticed his ability to keep up with the team, even though John was barely approaching middle school. After beginning with sprints, Reniewicki encouraged John to join a club track team. Since then, it has been a nonstop race for John. His daily routine includes running 3-4 miles before school, about two hours of practice after school and an hour of core and stretching before heading home. Most of the time, he’s even awake and ready to run before his father in the morning. “It’s like watching a machine when he runs. I don’t claim to be an expert, but there is not an ounce of wasted effort or motion when I watch John run,” said Kevin Mooney, athletic director for Arcadia High Continued on page 51 11th Annual Arizona Youth Football Camp CAMP LOCATION: Boys & Girls Club Football Field 2311 North Miller Road, Scottsdale 6:30pm-8:30pm zuluaga94@gmail.com www.AZYFC.com • 602-686-8354 June 4th-13th, 2013 Learn to Throw Properly Speed Training and Form Running Improve Catching Skills! 2013 Special: 325.00 Camp Tuition includes Boys and Girls Club Fall Football League Registration Fee! Have Fun With Teammates
Page 51 May 2013 ARCADIA SPORTS PAGE TOO ARCADIA SPORTS PAGE TOO Reniewicki Continued from page 50 School. “It’s really remarkable. It’s also great to have a father-son team.” Legendary runner idols such as Galen Rupp and Steve Prefontaine have inspired John throughout his running career. Although he has big dreams of running competitively in college and someday aiming for the Olympic Games, he also has a few other goals in mind. John plans to pursue majors in advertising or graphic design. He recently designed the t-shirts for Arcadia’s track and fi eld team and says he has always taken an interest in design. “Ideally, I’d like to go to school where I can compete on the track and improve my advertising and design skills so that I can go into that fi eld,” John said. While fi nding a balance between school and athletics can be dif fi cult for most young athletes, John has learned to adequately time manage the two. Even if it means getting less than the average eight hours of sleep a night, he still makes sure he gets his homework done fi rst. Recently, John has been training rigorously to try and break Arcadia’s running record for cross-country, which is at 9:29. For Coach Reniewicki, it’s not about John breaking the record. It’s about improving his performance the best he can. “Track is really about improvement,” Reniewicki said. “I don’t worry too much about wins and losses, I worry about getting those kids to be the best they can be by the end of the season.” In fact, Reniewicki enjoys this aspect the most about coaching. For him, when young athletes are able to discover hidden talents they never knew they had, it’s a ful fi lling moment in his career Although some may consider running to be an individual sport, it’s being part of a team that really motivates John to keep running. “John is an exceptional athlete. I think that athletics provides an opportunity to develop the life skills that really are important,” Mooney said. “Whether it’s being part of a team or dedication, perseverance and self-motivation. These are all things that bene fi t people their whole life and it’s really something that helps students develop.” Xavier College Prep won its second straight sand-volleyball state championship. Team members and coaches were (back row left to right) Ted Rogers, Matt Rogers (head coach), Kelly Andrew, Claire Coppola, Johnna Tucker, Paige Rogers, Tim McHale, (second row left to right) Callie Jones, Molly Scheel, Meg Ingram, Claudia Lemeiux , Kate Even, ( fi rst row left to right) Cayden Kuhler, Keely Komer, Sara Mackey, Kristen Largay, Natalie Braun and Mallory Miller. ASEA: Balance for Better Health and Better Living • Breakthrough product optimizes cell health, provides unique opportunity • Meticulously developed, scientifically formulated, ASEA is the first and only Redox Signaling product in the world. • “Redox Signaling molecules are absolutely crucial to maintaining peak efficiency in cell function.” – Robertson D. Ward, MD • “The Redox Signaling process is remarkable because it is the process that allows us to regenerate tissue and maintain our normal function and capacities. This technology has the potential to spearhead the greatest advances in health we’ve ever seen.” – Gary L. Samuelson, PhD To learn more about the science of ASEA and the company please join us from 6:30 pm till 8 pm every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Microsoft Store located at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall (Nordstrom wing). Tetyana Hoogeveen 480.277.5035 ~ asea@cox.net ~ www.AmazingMolecules.com 7 SPORTS CAMP LOCATIONS one in your neighborhood Basketball, soccer, baseball, swimming, archery, volleyball wi`ëÀÌà PLAN YOUR SUMMER NOW May 28 - August 9 £ÜiiÃiÃÃñÕE>v`>Þ ÝÌi`i` >Ài±č}iÃ{¤£Î HUBBARDSPORTS.COM 602.971.4044 REGISTER NOW hubbardsports.com