Athens Cross Country wins Milk Grant

The Troy Athens High School cross country team was recently awarded a chocolate milk grant from the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, and the team balanced their season with running and giving back to the community.

The team used 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 Brian McConachie and Shawn DuFresne 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. Our runners are now even more conscious of their food choices that can contribute to their success.”

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.

The team also promoted Breast Cancer Awareness Month by sporting pink headbands and wristbands, as well as solicited donations from family and friends for cancer research, netting $220 for Sharing & Caring—Breast Cancer Education and Support, of the Beaumont Health System. The program supports newly diagnosed and long-term breast cancer survivors.

“I am proud of our runners and families for getting involved and making a difference,” McConachie said.

“The generous Athens cross country team allows us to send home milk to families experiencing hardship and in need of a kind heart,” Kim Houseman, Christian Service Outreach Director at St. Anastasia, said.

Half of the families have children of elementary ages, middle school, and high school, according to Houseman.

The Athens boys and girls cross country teams train together, and are led by senior captains Skylar Emerson, Andrew Linden, Matthew Meitzner, and junior Emma Salem.

“I’m truly grateful and happy to be a part of a team that comes together to help others in need and be able to make a difference in their lives just by simple acts of kindness,” Salem said.

“I think it’s important we don’t lose sight of the needs of those around us,” Linden said. “It makes me so proud that our team helped those less fortunate in the community.”

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PICTURES PROVIDED BY TROY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Milk donation photo:

Troy Athens High School cross country captains recently presented a monetary donation raised by the team for the purchase of milk 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 Skylar Emerson, junior Emma Salem, (Florence Parent), senior Matthew Meitzner, and senior Andrew Linden.

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.

Troy Athens cross country group photo wearing pink headbands:

The Troy Athens High School cross country team wore pink headbands in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They also donated to Sharing & Caring—Breast Cancer Education and Support, Beaumont Health System.