KENDALL, Fla. — With March Madness underway and Division I athletes back in the spotlight, the level of training it takes to compete at the top of college sports is getting plenty of attention.

In Kendall, one coach is working every day to help young athletes reach that level.

Kevin Lopez is the fitness director at D1 Training Kendall, where the focus is helping athletes get stronger, faster and more confident.

For Lopez, the work is personal. His own athletic career started with a similar opportunity growing up in Miami.

“I got trained by a guy down here in Miami who focused on strength and conditioning, specifically for athletes — for kids that are trying develop, improve and go to college,” Lopez said. “It allowed me to be one of the top receivers in that year for our district, which gave me opportunities to go play at Iowa.”

That experience changed his path and ultimately brought him back home.

Now Lopez says his mission is to give other athletes the same type of chance.

“I want to try and help out as many people as I can, to give them that same opportunity, or at least get them as close as they can to reach that if that’s a goal that they have for themselves,” he said.

Inside the gym at D1 Kendall, the training goes well beyond basic workouts.

“We focus on lateral movements, we focus on their agility, their quickness, we focus on building that upper body strength as well,” he said.

Just as important, he says, is helping athletes stay healthy and confident.

“A lot of kids are coming in to build their confidence,” Lopez said. “It’s not just to improve their speed, their agility, their quickness to transition over to the field or to the court.”

The gym has also become a place where athletes feel comfortable pushing themselves.

“We’re just trying to build a community around here,” Lopez said. “We’re trying to expand and touch as many people, as many athletes, as many adults as we can.”

“This is a home for them,” he added. “And they have somewhere they’re going to come, feel at ease, not feel intimidated.”

To learn more about D1 Kendall, visit their website.

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.

Korda threatened to run away with the second set when he won three games in a row and earned a chance for a double-break lead. Alcaraz held on until it came time for Korda to serve for the match.

Keeping the pressure on, Alcaraz secured a love-break and reeled off five straight games to force a final set.

Undaunted, Korda snapped the streak to get back on the board and weathered some stellar play from Alcaraz to score the first break of the decider.

Down 3-5 for a third straight set, Alcaraz made another brave last stand to force Korda to serve for the match. Korda made no mistake this time, putting away a backhand to set up two match points. Alcaraz saved the first but Korda claimed the second with one last well-struck serve.

Standing between Korda and a return trip to the quarterfinals will be either No. 14 seed Karen Khachanov or Spanish qualifier Martín Landaluce.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A longtime Miami Gardens resident watched a fire tore through his home Friday evening.

Edward Brown Jr., known in the community as “Mr. Brown,” embraced friends and family as he watched the aftermath of the flames that destroyed the house he’s lived in for more than 50 years.

“I don’t have anything right now,” Brown said.

Video from Sky 10 showed heavy smoke pouring out of the home as fire ripped through the property.

Brown, a retired teacher, said the fire started shortly after he had been cooking.

“Well, I thought I had turned the burner off, but when I went to the door, there was too much smoke,” he said.

He explained that he had just finished frying fish and was outside talking with his son when they realized something was wrong.

“I wasn’t really scared. Thank God I wasn’t scared,” he said.

Already outside, Brown and others tried to use a garden hose to control the flames as firefighters rushed into the neighborhood. The chaotic scene temporarily shut down the street.

Neighbors gathered nearby, many concerned as crews worked to put out the fire.

“Everybody was concerned, and I want to apologize to them,” Brown said. “I didn’t mean to disturb the neighborhood like this.”

Mr. Brown will stay with friends and family while he decides to do with his home.

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