Working Up a Sweat

Written by Sara Giboney for the Kearney Hub

“You are a rock star,” Kearney Family YMCA Program Manager Ray Longoria said to a fourth-grader at Central Elementary School as he gave her a high five. 

Fourth-graders arrived at school early Thursday morning to work out. The early morning workouts are a collaboration with the school and the YMCA.  “We wanted to see how we can get kids more active,” Longoria said. 

Longoria hopes the collaboration will allow kids who may not be able to go to the YMCA because of transportation or cost to become more active.

Each Thursday morning before school, Longoria meets with a different grade level. He leads the students in active games such as Capture the Flag.

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Turkey Trot runners celebrating tradition Thanksgiving Day

Written by Sara Giboney for the Kearney Hub

KEARNEY — Dan Newman will run his 10th Turkey Trot on the race’s 10th anniversary this Thanksgiving.

“I think it’s a great course,” he said. “It’s a great way to start Thanksgiving dinner out.

“If you’re not a runner, it’s a great way to work up to becoming a runner.”

The Gobble Wobble, a one-mile children’s fun run, a two-mile run/walk and a five-mile run will take place Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22.

“It’s a way for you to come out and burn some calories before you indulge,” said Kearney Family YMCA event coordinator Laura Aden.

“Families are already coming together. Why not get exercise together?”

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May not be ‘biggest loser,’ but Sara’s getting there

Written by Sara Giboney for the Kearney Hub

Stepping on the scale at the doctor’s office was a wake-up call for 19-year-old Sara Theesen.  The day after seeing that number on the scale, she changed her life and lost 70 pounds. 

Theesen of Kearney will attend the Unleash the Champion Wellness Camp in Thompson’s Station, Tenn., Sunday through Sept. 28.

The camp was created by Olivia Ward, “Biggest Loser” Season 11 winner; Hannah Curlee, “Biggest Loser” Season 11 runner-up; Carter Hays, a fitness trainer who helped “Biggest Loser” contestants during their at-home training; and Mary Nell Roberts, who met Hays while he was training Curlee for the finale of “Biggest Loser” Season 11.

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YMCA’s month-long summer sports program lets kids be active

Written by Ashley Leever for the Kearney Hub

It was a common scene Tuesday mornings at Centennial Park and Thursday mornings at Collins Park this month for approximately 50 children to gather for the Kearney Family YMCA’s Just For Fun Sports program.

The program began last year as a way to bring a YMCA program to kids ages 3 to 16 who might not be able to participate in programs at the Y due to cost or inability to get to the YMCA. Just For Fun Sports is free of charge.

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