Innovative Community-Based Youth Strength & Conditioning Program Announces 2012 Summer Staff

ROGERSVILLE, TN, May 23, 2012 (Press-News.org) ProStrength & Speed Announces 2012 Summer Staff. ProStength & Speed is a youth community health initiative offered by Rural Health Services Consortium, Inc. open to all students 4th - 12th grades. ProStrength is staffed by young people of Hawkins County that have distinguished themselves as leaders within the program. Qualified Junior Staff members are promoted to Senior following High School Graduation. This summer graduating Seniors include Brittany Johnson, Justin House, and Christina Maddox. Following graduation this Saturday, these Seniors all have big college plans. Brittany is a (4) yr member of the varsity softball, basketball, and cross country team at CHS and plans to attend Walter State Community College. Christina has signed to play Basketball this fall for Walter State and Justin will be attending Emory & Henry College where he will be playing football.

Casey Ryans leads a group of Senior Staff members returning to ProStrength on College summer break. Casey put together a very successful prep basketball career at Cherokee High School and has completed her freshman year as a Morehead State University Lady Eagle. Cameron Duckworth returns after his freshman year at David Lipscomb University in Nashville as a Biology Major. Mark Collier has completed his second year of studies in Exercise Science at Walter State where he will earn his associate degree this summer. Gabe Brooks is completing studies at ETSU over the next year and applying for graduate school positions. Each of these young people have moved into leadership positions and are anxious to leave their mark on the program. Their background in various sports and disciplines of study continue to provide a well-rounded program for the youth of Hawkins County. Coach Casey Jones, Coach Matthew Davenport, and Coach Forrest Gladson will once again return to oversee the ProStrength Summer program, continuing their year-round dedication to our youth. Austin Albright and Chelsea Lane will work in advisory staff positions this summer as they complete their 2nd year of Medical School at ETSU and begin clinical rotations. Justin Morley has been a big part of getting this summer's program started and will be filling a fulltime position at Eastman in June.

The ProStrength Junior Staff program includes area High School students "in-training" for future Senior Staff positions. Returning Junior Staff members include Ali Thacker from Volunteer High School and Cherokee High School students Courtney Brooks, Kylie Russell, Ty Ryans, Tanner Trent, Cole Russell, Hunter Henegar, Peyton Brooks, and Tanner Blair. Dylan Lawson and Logan Lumpkins will be joining this summer's program as new Junior Staff members. Dylan helped Tanner Blair and Justin House run the after-school program this past year and Logan has distinguished himself as an outstanding participant within the program. Junior staff members complete didactic and practical training based on guidelines set by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the American College of Sports Medicine. Additional staff member information and contact details can be found at http://www.prostrengthandspeed.com.

Students can still sign-up for this summer's 8-week Strength and Conditioning program from 8:00-5:00 Monday through Thursday at the new ProStrength facility. You can sign-up to receive weekly program updates and fitness news at http://www.prostrengthandspeed.com. The new ProStrength facility is located at 530 West Main St. in Rogersville and was made possible by Mr. Terry Whitson, owner of Rogersville Tobacco Exchange. The youth training facility offers 32,000 sqft of space for this Summer's program. The ProStrength Summer program is supported by more than 60 community businesses and supporters that have partnered to make this opportunity available to all Hawkins county youth. For more information contact a ProStrength staff member at (423) 327-5711 or (423) 921-6995.

ProStrength believes that every child deserves to be trained like an elite athlete. The 8-week strength and conditioning program will teach proper running and weightlifting technique. Students will train plyometrics, agility drills, and Olympic lifts just like a collegiate athlete using viper cords, power sleds, parachutes and kettle bells. This summer's program will include even more sport-specific drills, conditioning games and weekly challenges for students to enjoy. Staff members have worked hard through the month of May to prepare the new facility and complete training necessary to make this summer's youth program our most exciting program to date.

Training sessions are modified for each student's athletic ability and based on current recommendations of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, American College of Sports Medicine, and American Academy of Pediatrics. Our mission is to improve student health and athletic performance in areas of strength, speed, agility, and flexibility with emphasis on positive self-image, character, and dedication. ProStrength will provide an environment that fosters teamwork, discipline, respect, and hard work. Rural Health Services Consortium, Inc. continues their partnerships this summer with the University of Tennessee athletic program, East Tennessee State University Sports Performance Enhancement Center, James Madison University, and Vanderbilt University strength and conditioning staff to offer students in Hawkins County a unique and fun experience this summer.

All program schedules and announcements can be found at http://www.prostrengthandspeed.com . The ProStrength website features regular schedule updates, Athlete's of the Week and announcements about special events throughout the summer. This summer's website will also spotlight area businesses and supporters that continue to make the program such a success. Students can receive regular updates at twitter (http://twitter.com/prostrengthgym) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/prostrengthandspeed).

Rural Health Services Consortium, Inc. (Linda Buck, CEO) is a federally funded, nonprofit community health consortium with administrative offices based in Rogersville, TN. (4966 Hwy 11W). ProStrength & Speed is a community health initiative of Rural Health Services. The program is directly supervised by Dr. Chris Calendine, pediatrician at Hawkins Medical Center. Please contact Dr. Calendine if you have any further questions. Dr. Calendine can be reached at RHSC, Inc. Hawkins Clinic at (423) 272-5600 during office hours or at calendine@rhsctn.com.

For further information, please contact:
Casey Ryans or Cameron Duckworth, Instructors
ProStrength Facility
530 West Main St
Rogersville, TN
Phone: (423) 921-6995
(423) 327-3322
(423) 327-5711

ProStrength & Speed is a community-based youth strength and conditionig program in Rogersville, TN.