Congratulations to Ogonna Nnamani (pictured above) and Ramon Miller for winning silver medals in Beijing!

Ogonna played for the U.S. Women’s Volleyball team in their loss to Brazil in the championship match, scoring three kills in the third game of the four game match. Brazil won three games to one.

Nnamani is a prodigious hitter, as she showed in Team USA’s final preliminary round match against Poland a week ago, scoring 11 kills and a total of 17 points, accounting for more than half of the 30 points scored by the U.S. team’s bench players. Her hitting prowess dates all the way back to her high school playing days in Bloomington, Illinois where she first experienced Athletic Republic’s Acceleration Training.

Ramon Miller ran in the semifinals of the 4×400 relay for the Bahamas, contributing to the success of his teammates in the final and, thus, earning a silver medal for his efforts.

Miller is a four-time national champion, a ten-time All American and will return to Dickinson State University (DSU) to compete in his senior season. Miller set the NAIA indoor record in the 400 meters in 2007 and was a member of the DSU 4×400 relay team that set the NAIA indoor record in 2006. Miller helped the Blue Hawks capture their third straight national outdoor championship in 2006 and to runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2008.

Dickinson State University is a strategic partner of the Athletic Republic. Under the guidance of Pete Leno, Director of Dickinson State’s Ben C. Frank Human Performance Center, DSU is conducting a series of studies to help Athletic Republic validate new measurement technology and training protocols as part of a three-year research agreement.

Brian Schaefering is a 25 year-old, 6′ 5″ 295 pound rookie free-agent in training camp with the Cleveland Browns. The Browns thought his story was interesting enough to post a story about “where Brian has come from” on their Web site.

In addition to coming from Lindenwood–a school that boasts two recent Super Bowl ring wearing alumni in DeDe Dorsey and Derrick Ward–Schaefering shares a training regime with Dorsey.

Here’s what Brian has to say about his Acceleration Training experience at Nutriformance Acceleration in Chesterfield, Missouri:

I was always a skeptic when it came to speed training–even while playing at the University of Illinois. It wasn’t until I came back for my senior year at Lindenwood that I broke down and tried it. I called Dan O’Donnell and made my first appointment and haven’t looked back since. The Acceleration Training program has put me in the best shape I’ve been in a long time. It helped me excel in my senior year and will help me perform the way I need to at the combine for the NFL. I was a skeptic, now I’m with acceleration for good.

Here’s hoping Brian’s hard work and perseverance pays off with a spot on Cleveland’s opening day roster!

When Vladi Nikiforov last checked in, he was headed to camp with the New York Islanders. Well, it didn’t go exactly as planned, as you will see:

July 15

Looking back on camp with the Islanders, I have no regrets; I played to the best of my ability and did very well.  There was even an article featured on the Islanders Web site about me.  I felt strong and ready, very well prepared for what was to come.  But, what came next was something I never expected.  During our first scrimmage I stepped on the puck and rolled my ankle.  I was diagnosed with a very minor high ankle sprain.  It’s been a battle, but this is what it takes. 

August 4

I just returned to Bluestreak after taking a few weeks off to rehab and recover from my ankle sprain.  It feels great to be back.  We are now in our 10th week of training and are focusing on agility and balance in our lifts.  As the season grows closer, I realize how important this program has been from start to finish.  It is very tough (mentally and physically) having to take time away from training to nurse a bum ankle.  For the past 2-3 weeks I haven’t done much in regards to training so jumping right back in has had both positive and negative effects.  I guess you have to take the good with the bad.  On the plus side I’m back, feeling strong and my ankle feels great.  Feeling good, however, has never come with such a price.  I am very sore, especially in my legs.  After a couple skates, I can say that I feel good on the ice and my confidence is back.

I am not 100% sure of where I am going yet, but I think it is going to be with the Islanders.  I am pretty excited for next season wherever it may be, I just want to play.  Bluestreak has helped me a lot, especially getting prepared for the camps with the Blues and Islanders.  I will continue to train at Bluestreak until early September.  I’m really looking forward in weeks to come … anything can happen.