COLUMBUS SPORTS
COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD

Erin Arnett, Founder & 100% cheerleader, Hilliard Community Boot Camp

For the past 14 years, Erin has been dedicated to making fitness free, welcoming, and accessible for everyone through the Hilliard Free Community Boot Camp. What started as a simple way to keep folks active while raising children has grown into a thriving community where individuals of all ages and fitness levels, including children are encouraged to move and accept their bodies and support one another.

Beyond boot camp, Erin coached Girls on the Run of Central Ohio for 10 seasons, led the Life Time Run Club, organized numerous community 5Ks, serves as a Columbus Running Company Group Run Ambassador, and coaches runners of all abilities. A passionate advocate for the local running and fitness community, Erin believes that movement has the power to improve physical health, strengthen mental well-being, and create meaningful human connections. Whether someone is training for a marathon or taking their very first walk or run, Erin is their biggest cheerleader, inspiring others to discover that Every Run Is a Gift and that there is a place for them in the fitness community.

Destiny Jennings, EJ’s Warrior Karate Academy

Destiny Jennings, often referred to as Sensei Destiny, is a 5x National Team USA Karate Member and Jr. Pan American Games Bronze Medalist. She has eight National medals — three gold, two silver and three bronze. Destiny is a six-time consecutive winner of the Grand Champion Titles of Ohio, a US Open Gold Medalist and a Junior International Cup Bronze Medalist.

Having been in martial arts since the age of five, Destiny is now a second-degree black belt and competes around the world. She is not only an exceptional martial artist but also dedicates her time to teaching and inspiring the next generation of martial artists at EJ’s Warrior Karate Academy. Destiny is currently ranked #1 in the Women’s +68kg Kumite.

Nicole Kraft, Director of Ohio State Sports and Society Institute; Professor of Journalism Practice

Nicole Kraft is director of Ohio State’s Sports and Society Institute and a professor of journalism practice at The Ohio State University. In both roles, she works to help students understand the many ways sports can shape communities, create opportunities and open career pathways beyond the field. Through SSI, Nicole supports sports-focused students from high school through college by helping connect them with mentoring, career readiness programs, internships, research opportunities and hands-on experiences with sports professionals and major events. Her goal is to make the sports industry feel more accessible to students who are still learning where they fit and how they can contribute.

Nicole teaches news and sports writing at Ohio State, and she also continues to work as a sports journalist, covering the Columbus Blue Jackets for The Associated Press, writing about sports media for Forbes and covering horse racing for The Columbus Dispatch. She is the author of four books, including the forthcoming “Storytelling Beyond the Scoreboard: The Art and Craft of Sports Journalism.” Her work as a teacher, journalist and SSI director is centered on helping students build confidence, make connections and find meaningful ways to be part of the sports community.