Seattle Storm players coming to Lake Grove June 19 for Fit Clinic

Close to 50 students at Lake Grove Elementary School will get the chance to see members of the Seattle Storm professional basketball team up close and personal.

Storm players Katie Gearlds, Shyra Ely and Tanisha Wright will visit Lake Grove from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on June 19 as part of the WNBA’s Fit Clinic.

“We are very excited that they are coming,” said Lake Grove physical education teacher Dana Henry. “And even though school is already out for us on the 19th, we will have nearly 50 kids in attendance.”

The Storm’s visit to Lake Grove came about because Henry’s physical education students did very well in the Governor’s Health Bowl in the fall.

“Students recorded their physical activity outside of school and we competed against other school from around the state for most miles and minutes recorded,” Henry said.

The three Storm players will share their basketball expertise with the Lake Grove kids and how to lead a healthy lifestyle. The three have already done a few Fit Clinic’s around the Seattle area, including one last week at Redmond’s Evergreen Junior High School.

The day started out with Gearlds speaking on the topic of fitness, exercise and self-esteem before the youngsters were split into groups by age and sent to one of the four stations at the clinic.

“Each station -- cardio, strength training, core and healthy eating are all important components of being smart, being fit,” said Ely. “I went to school for education so being around kids is something that’s very natural for me.”

The Lake Grove kids will also learn about their heart and lungs and will compete in dribbling races at the cardio station. The strength training post will have kids doing squats, lunges and push-ups.

“It’s definitely a good time to get out in the community because we have such a great fan base. Anytime you get a chance to work with kids it’s going to be a great time,” Gearlds said.

Sports editor Casey Olson: 925-5565, sports@fedwaymirror.com

Contact Federal Way Mirror Sports editor Casey Olson at sports@fedwaymirror.com or (253) 925-5565 ext. 5056.

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