FIND YOUR GREATNESS

As we watch these Olympic athletes compete for their respective countries, we are constantly amazed at their great performances.  These competitors are the talk of the world during the Olympics, and many of them are permanently etched in greatness because of their accomplishments.  Each one of them has found their greatness.  What the casual watchers and fans of the Olympics often forget or don't realize is that these athletes have worked, sacrificed, failed, endured, and trained for years, often alone in doing so, all for a chance to showcase their greatness to the world.  This Nike commercial is a tribute to the great athletes, but also serves as motivation for any person seeking greatness.  What makes this video applicable for each of us is that we are all capable of finding greatness in our own lives, and that's a strong message.

COACH RALPH TASKER

Facebook is good for something!  Stumbled onto the name Ralph Tasker from a coaching colleague on Facebook who recommended a book about the late, legendary high school basketball coach.  After doing some research, he sounded like a fabulous coach and a more impressive person.  Take a look at the YouTube clip.  Now, onto the book...can't wait to read about a coach whose teams often scored over 100 points per game and pressed and ran all over the court!

USA 156, NIGERIA 73

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

How about the United States men's basketball team at the Olympics?!  They set many Olympic records in a 156-73 victory over Nigeria.  What caught our eye was their 3 point shooting:  29-46 from 3 point range...wow!  What's even more impressive is that 9 USA players made at least 1 three point basket.  They attempted 83 total shots and forced 24 turnovers, and they rebounded 38% of their misses.  Talk about taking a page from Moneyball by meeting "System Goals" (and then some)!  USA!

POST-SEASON SOFTBALL HONORS

Congratulations to our Lady Bulldog softball players who earned First Team All-Lakes Conference honors:  Emily Ellefson, Madison Heidebrink, Ashley Phelan, and Molly Renken.  Teammates Emily Pick and Holly Schneider earned Honorable Mention honors.  Also, congrats to Emily Ellefson for being named 2nd Team All State by the IGCA, while props also go out to Molly Renken for being named 3rd Team All State by the IGCA, linked here.  We love multi-sport athletes in our program, and we love mentioning those who receive post-season honors!  We feel like multi-sport athletes are great role models in our school and for young girls in our community.  Congrats to all softball players on a great season and for representing Le Mars Community!

MONEYBALL--PART 2?

Image from flickr.com/creativecommons

Here in Le Mars, we are trying to steal some strategies and secrets from the famed book-turned-movie Moneyball (more specifically, from Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane) this season and beyond.  What's most inspiring is that the 2012 Oakland A's are once again igniting the Moneyball talk in the sports world with their stellar play on the diamond this season.  To read more about these underdog A's, please read the article linked here

DEDICATION FOR THE NEW ADDITION

Le Mars Community Schools will host the dedication to the beautiful new addition on Monday, August 20.  The schedule is below:

*5:00 PM = Chamber Ribbon Cutting

*5:30 PM = Athletic Booster Club Tailgate in the Parking Lot

*6:30 PM = Le Mars Community Spirit Night in the New Gym

*7:30 PM = Self-Guided Tours of the New Facility

Please come out and show your support and also take a look at the new facility, including the new gym...it's a great time to be a Bulldog!

MIKE CANDREA (FROM JENNIE FINCH BOOK)

Each one of our girls basketball players was given a copy of Jennie Finch's book to read before our season starts in November.  This book is full of motivation and great lessons, and one of the lessons she writes about comes from her former coach at Arizona and USA Softball, Mike Candrea.  After reading Finch's book and researching Candrea, we'll link an inspirational article to read more about him here