MainStreetNewsSports

Due to the differing nature of each sport, high school coaches often take varying approaches in working with their respective athletes.

Swimming is an individual sport in many ways although team scores are kept and compiled. For Winder-Barrow High School swim coach Jennifer Blevins, there are a number of methods she uses to motivate her athletes in an attempt to drive them to do their best.

“Coaching swimming is definitely different,” Blevins said. “First of all, the athletes don’t have as much control of their breathing as they do in any other sport. This is always an interesting concept to teach the swimmers. They have to find a breathing pattern and get used to limited air. It is definitely a learning process and my new swimmers are the ones who grow the most in this area. Yet, swimming is a sport that can get someone into shape quick and is no impact so the pressure of being on land is not pressed onto the body.” [Full Story »] 

It’s funny how the hands of time turn. It seems like only yesterday when I first arrived in Winder.

In 1997, I lived for a while across from the Austin family. Jason Austin had been tearing it up on the football field and in other sports for Winder-Barrow High School. Now off to Memphis to play football at the collegiate level, Austin had already left a strong mark for his high school alma mater.

I learned a lot about Jason in my early days in Winder from those who knew him best — his family. Talks with my neighbors were frequent and it was entertaining hearing about all of Jason’s accomplishments. [Full Story »]