Optimist Club Meeting Report
September 2, 2010

The Gretna Optimist Club met at D&K’s Gretna Cafe at 7:00am, on Thursday, September 2, 2010. This
week’s guest speakers were the Fall Sports Coaches from Gretna High School.

Our guest speakers were introduced by John Heckenlively, the new Activities Director for Gretna High School.

Our first speaker was Coach Joe Marik, who spoke about his Cross Country team. This year's team includes 13 girls and 22 boys. Five of Gretna's 2009 State Qualifiers return to lead the team this season (4 girls and 1 boy). The Gretna girls finished third at the State Meet in 2009 and have high hopes for continued success this season. With five returning varsity runners, the boys team is also optimistic.

Coach Chad Jepsen spoke about his Football team. Fifty-seven players went out for football this year, including 17 seniors. Gretna played its first game last week and defeated Norris High School. Their second game will take place on September 3rd against Bennington. The team is coming off of a disappointing 4-6 season in 2009, and faces a stronger schedule than last year.

Assistant Coach Gary Zessin spoke about the Girls Golf team. A number of golfers return from last year's successful team. The team includes 3 seniors, 4 juniors, 5 sophomores and 4 freshmen. Team goals include returning to the State Tournament for the 12th straight year and having each golfer score under100.

Girls Softball Coach Mike Moore spoke about his team. Thirty-two players went out for the team this season. The team is very young, with 12 freshmen and 11 sophomores on the squad. Six juniors and 3 seniors complete the squad. The team hopes to improve on its 2009 record of 11-16. The softball team has already played 5 games and has a record of 3-2. The teams 3 wins include wins over 2 Top Five teams.

Coach Mike Brandon spoke about his Volleyball team. Eight of the 14 players are seniors, and 13 of the 14 have played together for at least one year. Last year's team secured a berth in the State tournament and this year's team is intent on returning to State. Coach Brandon expects a very successful season.

The next meeting of the Gretna Optimist Club will take place at 7:00am, on Thursday, September 9,2010, at D&K’s Gretna Cafe. Next week’s guest speaker will be Kayla Lounsbery whose topic will be “Inside Nebraska's Water”.

Posted Saturday, September 04, 2010 09:48 AM
 


 

The Gretna Optimist Club met at D&K’s Gretna Cafe at 7:00am, on Thursday, August 12, 2010. This
week’s guest speaker was Eric Pinkall, PT, PRC. He spoke to the attendees about Postural Restoration,
a new, specialized physical therapy discipline.

Eric graduated from Gretna High School in 1986. He received his bachelor's degree from Midland
Lutheran College and his Physical Therapy degree (in 1993) from the University of Nebraska Medical
Center. In 2009, he received his Postural Restoration certification. Eric, who has performed physical
therapy in several different settings, currently provides out-patient care in private practice at Specialized
Physical Therapy, 10118 Maple Street, in Omaha.

Postural Restoration is a relatively new, specialized discipline pioneered by Ron Hruska, of Lincoln, NE.
Mr. Hruska is the founder of the Postural Restoration Institute. Postural Restoration is based on the
premise that many painful conditions have their roots in the asymmetry of the human body.

Contrary to common opinion, the human body is not symmetrical. The relatively heavy liver is on the right
side of the body and supports the right diaphragm. The right diaphragm is bigger and stronger than the
left diaphragm. The left diaphragm is unsupported and is used less since we don't rotate our trunks to
the left as frequently. Because of the body's basic asymmetry, there is a natural tendency to shift one's
weight towards the right side more often than to the left. This creates asymmetry in the pelvis and alters
posture and function. Some muscles get overused and other muscles become unused or inhibited.
Athletes who repetitively rotate to one direction such as baseball pitchers can exacerbate the asymmetry.

Postural Restoration focuses on inhibiting the overactive muscles, recruiting the weaker muscles,
correcting the individual's posture and relieving pain. Specialized exercises are employed to treat the
patient's condition and permit the patient to maintain his or her improved condition.

For additional information about Postural Restoration, the public is urged to contact Eric at (402) 939-
7939, or at Eric.Pinkall@PTOmaha.com

The next meeting of the Gretna Optimist Club will take place at 7:00am, on Thursday, August 19, 2010, at
D&K’s Gretna Cafe. Next week’s guest speaker will be Wes Peterson, of the UNL Speakers Bureau. His
topic will be “The Idea of Poverty”.