Elyria alumna Tianna Madison among speakers at Women in Coaching Clinic

Women in Coaching, an organization dedicated to fostering the development of female athletes, will host its fourth annual "strongHER" Clinic series featuring an impressive lineup of athletic powerhouses and professionals. The one-day interactive experience, designed for middle school, high school and college female athletes — along with their coaches, parents and supporters — will take place at three locations across Ohio. The third and final stop of the series, which is hosted by Women in Coaching president Anjanette Whitman, is slated for Aug. 9 at Midview Middle School. The list of guest speakers includes Elyria native Tianna Madison, a nine-time Division I state track and field champion for the Pioneers who went on to win three Olympic gold medals for Team USA. She captured the 2016 Olympic long jump title in Rio as well as gold medals as a member of the women's 400-meter relay in 2012 in London and in '16. "When I heard what (Whitman) was trying to do here (in Lorain County) I invited myself," said Madison, a 2003 EHS grad. "I live in California, but knew I was going to be in Ohio in August and so I asked her if she needed speakers. I then got busy again coaching athletes at NCAAs, completing grad school projects and raising a toddler. I followed up pretty late in the calendar and she squeezed me in." The strongHER Clinic aims to equip young women with the tools to excel mentally, physically and emotionally in their athletic pursuits. Attendees can gain insights from nationally and locally renowned female experts. "It's important to participate and contribute to events like these because everyone's path is different," Madison said. "We can all learn from each other's experiences and expertise. I will be speaking on a topic close to my heart called 'Confidence Not Required' that challenges the overrated role we often give to the 'feeling' of confidence in performance, and this is true beyond sport and the field of play. "The objective is for people to walk away from my presentation valuing competence and execution and letting confidence be a byproduct of those things. Instead of the reverse where many of us want to feel confident first before deciding to execute and demonstrate our competency." In addition to Madison, other featured speakers include: Jessica Beard: World track and field champion Taylor Robertson: WHIO TV7 journalist Sarah Pease: Ohio University head cross country and track and field coach Cheri Harrer: Baldwin Wallace University head women's basketball coach Plus medical professionals from Premier and Metro Health and professionals in mental performance, nutrition, strength and conditioning and more. "We are incredibly excited about our speaker lineup, comprised primarily of accomplished female athletes who continue to thrive as professionals in diverse fields," said Whitman. "These are the inspiring professionals our young female athletes need to hear from and connect with to fuel their own journeys." Registration is open now at https://tinyurl.com/womencoachingoh. Cost is $40 for students and $30 for coaches, parents and adult supporters. Women in Coaching is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2022 by female coaches in Ohio. Contact Paul Heyse at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.