Woodbury soccer: Former Royal star Kroening develops skills, faith

Woodbury’s Mary Kroening was among the many collegiate and professional athletes from across the United States who came together recently to receive training in their sport and faith at the Athletes in Action Ultimate Training Camp at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.

Kroening is a sophomore at Georgetown University and member of the Hoyas women’s soccer team.

“A few of my friends from Georgetown went to UTC and could not stop raving about it,” Kroening said. “After hearing about the life-changing experiences that they had at this camp, I decided that I wanted to be a part of it as well.”

According to its website, Athletes in Action “has committed to sharing a victory beyond competition that is found only in a relationship with Jesus Christ” since 1966. The week-long Athletes in Action Ultimate Training Camp provides a unique environment that combines lectures and competitions to introduce athletes to a Biblical perspective on sports and competition. Athletes were placed in controlled competitive environments where they were challenged to apply the spiritual principles taught in lectures. Athletes also participated in small-group discussions led by AIA staff or interns, as well as recreational activities and social events. In addition to competing, athletes were trained in developing leadership qualities to change the way they perceive life and competition. The training included opportunities to hear and apply Biblical perspectives on motivation, attitude, perseverance, and winning and losing. The Ultimate Training Camp hosted athletes from all over the country. Universities represented included: Minnesota, Wilmington College, Miami, Georgetown, Oklahoma State, Alabama, Virginia, Winona State, Michigan State, Wake Forest, William and Mary and Nova Southeastern University.

Athletes in Action’s vision is “A Christ follower on every team, in every sport and in every nation” and its mission statement is “building spiritual movements everywhere through the platform of sport so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus.”

For more information about Athletes in Action visit www.athletesinaction.org.

Tags: sports, soccer, woodbury, royals, prep, updates