2024
AYF Athletes of the Month
Austin Youth Fitness Athlete of the Month is a showcase of the talented young men and women in our community. The power and spirit of our youth is limitless, and AYF thinks it's important to let other young athletes know what their peers are doing in the fitness community. Congratulations to the following AYF Athletes of the Month!
November Athlete of the Month
Camden has been participating in AYF camps and clubs for almost two years! He was nominated by his coaches because "Camden is an amazing young athlete, and he helps his teammates understand that biking is a team sport! He connects easily with others, is a friend to all, and makes it FUN for all (including his coaches!). I love having Camden on our Northwest Biking TEAM!"
Camden is a team player and loves trying out all sports. He is active in soccer, flag football and basketball. Camden also plays the piano, loves board games, and often cleans up parks and beaches when he visits. Way to take care of our beautiful world!
Camden loves AYF because "it is fun and I get to make new friends - I love everything!" He loves biking specifically because "it makes me feel free, independent and happy!"
Camden's favorite thing about school is band and art class. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, he said "I am still trying to figure it out, but I know that I love being outside." Me too Camden!!!
Way to go Camden Adams for being AYF's November Athlete of the Month!
October Athlete of the Month!
Lainey is a regular in the Brentwood running club and joined us for Fit n' Fun camp over the summer! She was nominated by her coaches because "Lainey has been a long time participant in Brentwood's AYF Running Club. She always shows up with a great attitude and ready for a challenge. She works hard every day and goes above and beyond to support her teammates - running extra laps so they aren't running alone, going back out to cheer for others and encouraging everyone to do their best."
Lainey started running with her dad at 3 years old during the pandemic. It was a great way to get outside and have fun! Her fastest timed mile at Brentwood Running Club was 7:11. She hopes to beat it soon!
Along with running for fun and for sport, Lainey plays softball, plays the violin, and sings in her church choir. She hopes to run track when she is older!
Lainey really enjoys that there is always "fun in running" in AYF. Her favorite things about AYF running club are the games and timed miles. She also loves her Brentwood coaches, peers, and AYF camp coaches.
Lainey's favorite things about school are working on projects, reading, and friends.
Way to go Lainey Cook for being AYF’s October Athlete of the Month!
September Athlete of the Month!
Emory has been biking and running with AYF for over two years! He was nominated by his coaches because "Emory is a consistent presence in our biking clubs and camps. He is not only a strong biker, he's a team leader, always having fun and making it fun for others. His silliness and laughter is contagious!"
Along with being an avid biker, Emory plays soccer, flag football and golf. This past weekend, he had a pick-six in his football game! Emory is also an amazing big brother to his two younger brothers.
Emory's favorite thing about AYF biking club is "going to see new places around town."
Emory's favorite thing about school is math and he wants to be a doctor when he grows up.
Way to go Emory Loring for being AYF’s September Athlete of the Month!
August Athlete of the Month!
Bridget is a regular in the NYOS yoga club! She was nominated by her coaches because "Bridget is a steady energy in yoga club. She is calm, collected, attentive and open to learning! She has quiet confidence and because she's been participating in yoga club for so long, she is a wonderful example to her classmates."
Besides yoga with AYF, Bridget graduated from swim lessons this spring, and put her skills to good use this summer! Bridget has been involved in dance for the last four years. She has participated in ballet and tap, and this year she is excited to try out jazz.
Her favorite thing about AYF yoga club is "playing games that incorporate the yoga we are learning about."
Bridget's favorite thing about school is playing with her friends and when she grows up, she wants to be an artist.
Way to go Bridget Sylva for being AYF’s August Athlete of the Month!
July Athletes of the Month!
Damien and Waylon have been participating in AYF summer camps since 2017! We can always count on seeing these friends every summer, and it's a treat! They were nominated by their coaches because "Waylon & Damien exemplify our pillars of fitness, fun & friendship. They have been friends since they were 3 years old and came to camp together for the first time. Now that they live far away from each other, AYF summer camp is a yearly tradition for them where they get to spend all week together! They always step up in leadership roles and we're so excited to have them as junior coaches this summer. We are inspired by their friendship and love for having fun and playing hard."
Waylon is starting his second year of soccer with the Georgetown Soccer Association. Here at AYF we've always known Waylon as a Ninja Warrior star! He competed at the national level in Ninja Warrior competitions for several years before starting soccer in 2023.
Damien loves baseball and has been playing on both select and neighborhood teams since he was 5 years old. Damien was on the NWLL all-star team when he was 10, 11 and 12 years old. He also plays on his middle school football, basketball, and track teams and ran the 300 hurdles in the city tournament last school year.
Waylon's favorite things about AYF are exploring Austin by bike, going to fun places, and making new friends and hanging out with them at camp.
Damien's favorite thing about AYF is the destinations to various local stores during biking camp. His favorite places to stop on a bike ride are Juiceland and Whole Foods.
Damien's favorite subject in school is history and Damien's favorite is math.
Way to go Waylon Willis and Damien Duhon for being AYF’s July Athlete of the Month!
June Athlete of the Month!
Alana has been participating in the NYOS running club for two years! She was nominated by her coaches because "Alana always comes to running club ready to run and have fun! She is very willing to help her coach in any way she can, by picking up equipment and suggesting games and drills. Alana has quiet confidence and a positive growth mindset, two qualities of a great athlete!"
Besides running with AYF, Alana plays volleyball with the YMCA league and will be doing school cheer next year. She also just got a new bike with gears and enjoys biking with the Cycle the City camp!
Her favorite thing about AYF is the games, especially Sharks & Minnows.
Alana's favorite thing about school is math, and when she grows up she wants to be a veterinarian.
Way to go Alana Duran-Nogueras for being AYF’s June Athlete of the Month!
May Athletes of the Month!
Niko and Elias have been participating in AYF summer camps and after-school biking clubs since summer 2021! They were nominated by their coaches because "Niko and Elias always come to AYF groups and camps ready to play hard! Their eagerness to play, bike, and explore rub off on other athletes. They work really well together and are good examples of how to be a good friend and supportive to siblings, peers, and coaches!"
Both Niko and Elias play soccer and have previously played flag football and basketball. They recently completed the Round Rock Donuts 5K Race and a Spartan Stadion Kids Race! They also love obstacle course racing.
Niko and Elias will be a part of the inaugural Reilly Roundtable, an initiative at their elementary school to empower 3-5th grade students to voice their ideas, feedback, and suggestions directly to the school administration.
Niko's favorite thing about AYF is seeing his friends. Elias's favorite thing about AYF is biking around his neighborhood and hanging out with friends.
Niko's favorite thing about school is running around the track for Marathon Kids. When he grows up, he wants to be a soccer player or mountain biker.
Elias's favorite things about school are PE, seeing his friends, and learning. When he grows up, he wants to be a biologist because he loves animals and science.
Way to go Niko & Elias Weema for being AYF’s May Athletes of the Month!
April Athlete of the Month!
Vinnie is a regular in the Baranoff running club, and you're guaranteed to see him Wednesday after school helping out his coaches! He was nominated because "Vinnie is an amazing athlete and friend. He never gives up and comes to running club each week ready to run and have fun! He is super helpful to his coaches and does it with a big smile on his face."
Vinnie is currently learning to play tennis and previously played soccer. Vinnie is accomplished in karate, and received his advanced white belt after completing a tournament! Vinnie is also a craftsman and was Baranoff's most successful seller at this year's market day with his paper claws.
Vinnie loves running club because “I get to have fun with my friends, and running around is really fun!”
Vinnie's favorite things about school are music class and his teacher Mrs. Everett. When Vinnie grows up, he wants to be a plastic surgeon.
Way to go Vinnie Amoroso for being AYF’s April Athlete of the Month!
March Athlete of the Month!
Rin has been in AYF's yoga club at Blazier Intermediate School since it began - Fall 2022! She was nominated by her coach because "Catharine is a big help with her younger cohorts and is a wonderful example. She is always coming up with creative new ideas for poses in class. Catharine is also an awesome helper when it's time to clean up. She is kind to all!"
Along with yoga club, Rin participates in gymnastics and Jiu-Jitsu!
Rin's favorite things about yoga club are learning the yoga poses, spending time with friends, and helping others out.
Rin's favorite things about school are seeing her friends and going to the library. When she grows up, Rin wants to be a singer and an artist.
Way to go Rin Martinez for being AYF’s March Athlete of the Month!
February Athlete of the Month!
Dominic is an AYF veteran - he has been biking with AYF since he was 7 years old! He has participated in the Westenfield biking club for many years and has joined us for countless camps! He was nominated by his coaches because "Dominic is a natural leader, and kids are drawn to his energy and really look up to him. Since he is an AYF veteran and is the oldest in the Westenfield Biking Club, he has been such a wonderful help with the younger bikers and serves as a junior assistant coach. He is always ready to jump in and help out his coaches. It has been so fun to see him grow over the years and develop a passion for biking!"
Dominic gets his love of biking from his dad, and has ridden 16 miles with him! In addition to biking club, Dominic plays I9 football and soccer. He once scored 5 touchdowns in one football game!
Dominic also helps his mom coach special olympics volleyball, cleans up parks for It's My Park Day, and is a volunteer bark ranger with Austin Parks & Rec.
Dominic loves AYF because "it's fun to be able to bike around and see the world, see friends and the coaches. It's just a good time."
Dominic's favorite thing about school is recess, and he wants to be an NFL Football Player when he grows up!
Way to go Dominic Remington for being AYF’s February Athlete of the Month!
January Athlete of the Month!
Courtland is a regular in the Casis Running Club and is almost at the junior-coach level! She was nominated by her coaches because "Courtland is a great example of the AYF pillar of friendship. She does a wonderful job encouraging the younger kids and making sure everyone is having fun. She also goes the extra mile and cheers for her fellow runners."
Courtland is a seasoned athlete! Last year, in her school's half-mile run, she won fastest girl in the 2nd grade and came in 10th place overall (her time was 4:02.79)! She also got 2nd place in the mile swim in her age group at Camp Longhorn last summer, and was awarded Westwood Waves swimmer of the week.
Along with running and swimming, Courtland plays soccer and basketball, is a member of the Tarrytown Dance hip hop team, is in the Casis Times school newspaper club, and participates in ASK Bible Study. She is also the oldest of three girls and is a great big sister!
Courtland's favorite things about AYF are the fun games, running laps, running with friends, and the encouragement from her coaches.
Courtland's favorite things about school are reading, writing, and PE.
Way to go Courtland Anderson for being AYF’s January Athlete of the Month!