Athens Cross Country "Gets Milk" Grant, Gives Back to Others

ATHENS CROSS COUNTRY “GETS MILK” GRANT, GIVES BACK TO OTHERS

Got Milk? Troy Athens Cross Country does! The Troy Athens High School cross country team was recently awarded a chocolate milk grant from the United Dairy Industry of Michigan. The team is using chocolate milk as their recovery beverage during this season because it contains the right three to one mix of carbohydrates and protein scientifically shown to help refuel muscles. In fact, it helps restore muscles quickly to their peak potential and helps replenish what the body has lost during exercise.

Athens cross country coaches Mike Stallsmith and Shawn DuFresne, in their 25th year leading the Red Hawks as a coaching duo, are grateful for the grant.

“We are always emphasizing proper nutrition with our student athletes,” DuFresne said. “This grant allows us to see our training philosophy in action. Moreover, our runners are now even more conscious of their food choices, and how their decisions relate to becoming a successful athlete and ultimately a healthy person throughout their lives.”

The Athens boys and girls cross country teams train together, and are led by senior captains Dan Bart, Ryan Meitzner, and Riley Weber, as well as juniors Hannah DiGiovanni and Erin Swartz.

“I enjoy having the grant because the milk is amazing after a run,” Weber said.

“The grant we received provides a great healthy recovery drink which not only helped our performance but also served as a reward after a practice or meet,” Bart added.

Grant recipients were encouraged to raise funds for a food bank to purchase milk, one of the most requested items, and the team recently donated $200 to the Troy People Concerned Food Pantry located at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy. The pantry, which relies strictly on donations of the parish and the local community, assists all city residents.

“This pandemic has hit our local neighbors very hard with job loss and discretionary income,” Kim Houseman, Christian Service Director at St. Anastasia, said. “This generous donation from the Athens cross country team will allow us to provide milk for families, which is something that we are not always typically able to offer.”

The runners were happy to oblige.

“It feels great to give back to the community, especially during the pandemic with so many who are in need,” Bart said.

“I’m glad our team was able to help those who may need assistance for their proper nutrition,” Meitzner added.

PICTURES PROVIDED BY TROY SCHOOL DISTRICT

SAME CAPTION can be used for Athens XC picture 1 or Athens XC picture 2:

Troy Athens High School cross country captains recently presented a monetary donation raised by the team to parish receptionist Florence Parent of St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Troy, where the Troy People Concerned Food Pantry is housed. From left to right: senior Riley Weber, senior Ryan Meitzner, (Florence Parent), junior Erin Swartz, and junior Hannah DiGiovanni (not pictured: senior Dan Bart).

Troy Athens cross country group photo with milk:

The Troy Athens High School cross country team received a chocolate milk grant this season from the United Dairy Industry of Michigan to purchase the drink as their daily recovery because of its proven benefits.

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