Tampa, Fl. – July 12, 2019 – Florida Orthopaedic Institute (FOI) is proud to announce Anthony Killick from Plant City High School as the ‘Athlete of the Week’ for the week ending July 12, 2019.
Head coach for the boys’ cross country and track team, Drew Martucci, nominated Killick for his ability to take hold of a leadership position and push his team and himself to new heights.
“Anthony has been a team captain since his junior year of high school,” Martucci said. “He will be our first-ever returning captain of the Cross Country team because of his major role in leadership, academics (5.2 GPA) and athletic abilities as a top-five runner on the team from a year ago. Despite some major injuries, he returned and helped our team finish the highest any Plant City cross country team has ever finished at the 4A Region 2 Championships in 2018.”
In order to represent himself as a role model for his team, Killick set lofty goals this summer in preparation for the upcoming year.
“For my summer goal of running 400 miles, I am motivated to complete this to show my team that they can count on me to get work done, even when we are out of season. It also gives my teammates someone to run with every day during the summer to make any training they do easier for them. This requires me to wake up at 6:30 in the morning, but I can get my training in before it gets too hot.”
Killick stresses that dedication and determination is the key to success and that what matters most is what you do when nobody is watching.
“Our summer mileage is not required so it’s hard to get guys out there to train with me. I have to run alone for most of the summer. It’s pretty hard to stay motivated, but I know that what I’m doing will not only help me, but it will help my team as a whole. For me, it’s all about setting the example for my guys. I just want to show them that it can be done and that it really will help in the long run.”
Looking to compete in numerous triathlons upon graduation, Killick has no plans on slowing down the process or making changes to his routine.
“In running and in life, hard work will take you to where you want to go. Being a leader is about respect. You become a leader not by taking charge, but by being the guy that everyone can count on and can look up to for the right example.”
Florida Orthopaedic Institute’s Athlete of the Week campaign is designed to focus on student-athletes, recognizing them for their hard work and dedication both on and off the field. The Athlete of the Week award can be earned by displaying one of the following characteristics:
Team Player: Athletes who are nominated for excellence in team play are chosen by a coach who feels the athlete does his or her best to put direction into action, makes a significant contribution to the team and continuously works to improve his or her skills, attitude and training.
Leadership: Athletes who earn the award in recognition of excellent leadership must exemplify strong relationship building skills, show excellent initiative and serve as role models for his or her peers.
To view last week’s award winners, please follow this link.
Florida Orthopaedic Institute
Founded in 1989, Florida Orthopaedic Institute is Florida’s largest orthopedic group and provides expertise and treatment of orthopedic-related injuries and conditions, including adult reconstruction and arthritis, chiropractic services, foot and ankle, general orthopedics, hand and wrist, interventional spine, musculoskeletal oncology, orthopedic trauma, physical medicine and rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, sports medicine, shoulder and elbow, spine and chiropractic services, among others. The organization treats patients throughout its surgery centers in North Tampa and Citrus Park, two orthopaedic urgent care centers in South Tampa and Brandon, and 9 office locations in Bloomingdale, Brandon, Citrus Park, North Tampa, Northdale, Palm Harbor, South Tampa, Sun City Center and Wesley Chapel. For more information, please visit: FloridaOrtho.com and ‘like’ us on Facebook: facebook.com/Florida.Orthopaedic.Institute.
