Monthly News & Updates
November 2022 | Vol. 7
Waco Regatta
Waco IRONMAN & Waco IRONMAN 70.3
Waco was fortunate to host our 2nd IRONMAN Festival on October 15 & 16. This means Waco has hosted 4 Ironman races over the last 13 months! Over 2,000 athletes from 43 countries and all 50 states visited Waco for this festival week. The economic impact of this race was close to $10 million for the greater Waco economy. Visitors stayed in over 5,300+ hotel rooms and spent nearly $1M in food alone. When participants were not competing on our roads, river, and parks- they were spending close to $800K in entertainment for their families and friends. A big thanks to the 2,000+ volunteers that served for this event and made it possible! Many of those volunteers earned part of the $53K grant funds for their favorite local non-profits.
This event is more than just economics- it’s about inspiration. Please read my letter at the end of this newsletter about a mother who raced in honor of her son she lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy and see our TEAM Waco photos to the right.
Again, this event would not be possible without the support of its volunteers, the City of Waco, the local non-profits and other businesses/organizations.
Thank you for your support and enthusiasm making this possible. We can’t wait until next year!
Waco Rowing Regatta Weekend
(Sunday Nov 6)
The Waco Rowing Center will be hosting the First Annual Waco Rowing Regatta with over 1,500 athletes and spectators. This event highlights diversity and inclusion and has national attention. The WRC is proud to support and feature local athletes from La Vega High School’s new rowing team.
The Waco Rowing Regatta is ecstatic to welcome St. Benedict’s Prep rowing team from Newark, NJ who will be traveling to Waco to join in on this competition. Thanks to Magnolia for generously covering their travel and stay. Another noteworthy announcement is the unveiling of a brand new Hudson, top of the line, racing shell donated by Talking Rain/Sparkling Ice, a beverage company. Talking Rain/Sparkling Ice representatives will be on site at the regatta to engage with the community plus share their product. In addition, the Greater Waco YMCA will also be on site offering free swimming lessons to families and adults who wish to sign up.
Upcoming Events
Check out what events are coming up in Waco and how you can get involved.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We are always looking for new community partners! Please email [email protected] if you are interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities with new events for your business.
GWSC Volunteer Opportunities
Click here to check out upcoming opportunities.
HOMECOMING TEAM Waco
Our 5 TEAM Waco athletes were able to compete in the IRONMAN. The Baylor Homecoming Parade was our opportunity to celebrate them, their accomplishments, and our sponsors. Click this link to see a more detailed recap of the event and visit our social media pages to look back on each athletes journey/race.
Thank you to everyone that made this inaugural TEAM Waco journey a magical one!
Applications for next year’s TEAM Waco class will open January 1st, 2023.
A Word from Dr. Adesina
Sports specialization occurs when an athlete decides to focus exclusively on 1 sport. This increased emphasis on sports specialization has resulted in an increase in overtraining, overuse injuries, and athlete burnout. Here are 3 general principles that parents should consider with their young athletes.
1. Early diversification, late specialization
Current recommendations are to delay sports specialization for the majority of sports until late adolescence. Early diversification allows athletes to explore various sports while being allowed to develop physically, socially, and emotionally.
2. Adequate breaks from sport
- At least 3 total months of downtime from training throughout the year, in 1-month increments, for physical and psychological recovery
- At least 1-2 days off per week from their sport of interest
- Closely monitor young athletes who enter intensive training
3. Common goals
One of the most common motivations for athletes and parents is the pursuit of an athletic scholarship. Only 3.3% to 11.3% of high school athletes compete at the NCAA level; only 1% receive an athletic scholarship. If an athlete decides to specialize, it is important to have discussions to distinguish the goals of the athlete from those of parents or coaches.
At Ascension Medical Group Providence Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our team offers a comprehensive pediatric & adolescent sports medicine program for young athletes. For appointments, please call 254-752-9638.
In the pipeline for Waco Sports
Waco Rowing Weekend (Nov 6th)
IBJJF: Jujitsu Tournament (Dec 3rd)
OTB Cyclery Enduro #2: Mountain Biking (Dec 10th)
Centex Challenge: Volleyball (Dec 17th & 18th)
Spartan Race: Baylor Spartan Stadion
(5K Obstacle Course @ McLane Stadium on April 1st, 2023)
(Click the links above)
We’re extremely excited to host Waco’s first world-renowned Spartan Race. Come join the fun and excitement as you race in, through, and around McLane Stadium in the beginning of April!
Executive Director's Message
The IRONMAN races always bring out incredible stories about perseverance and strength. I hate how we typically learn about these incredible stories simply after the accomplishment instead of along the journey. That was one of the reasons to document TEAM Waco’s training and journey.
Another story that moved me came from Rebecca Kolowski from Connecticut. Race Director Nancy Goodnight visited with Rebecca as she finished Waco 70.3 and asked her why she did this race. Her response was overwhelming and emotional.
Rebecca had lost her 6 year old son, Chase, in the Sandy Hook tragedy that claimed 19 other first-graders and six adults on Dec 12, 2012. He was a youth triathlete and loved the sport. She started the Race4Chase Foundation and wanted to complete a triathlon in his honor and she chose Waco as her first. At an incredibly emotional, beautiful finishing moment, she told Nancy she wanted to spread his ashes and asked her thoughts as to where- they agreed together the Suspension Bridge was the perfect place, so the next morning there was a beautiful sweet soul at our finish line.
This is why I love what we do and why sports is more than sports. Thank you Waco.
GWSC Partners
