263 Gretas Way Kernersville, NC 27284
OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK
Monday - Friday: 4pm - 9pm
Saturday: 9am - 3pm
Sunday: Closed
About Us & Staff & FAQ

PAUL BRANNON, Ed.D
(Co-Founder)
Paul played high school baseball at Kings Mountain Senior High School from 1988-1990. During his three years there, he was a three-time all conference performer, two-time all-state performer, and led his team to the 1989 NC 3A Baseball State Championship where he garnered MVP of the series. Paul also was named the 3A Athlete of the Year in 1989, Conference Player of the Year and the NC State Baseball Player of the Year in 1990. While in high school, Paul set numerous state records for home runs, RBIs, and was ranked 7th in the United States with 41 career homeruns at the time of his graduation from Kings Mountain. He still holds the NC single season record for homeruns as he hit 20 in 30 games during the 1989 season including a then state record of homeruns in 8 consecutive games.
After graduating from high school, Paul had signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Wake Forest University, but he decided to forgo college after being selected in the 4th round of the 1990 June Amateur draft by the Seattle Mariners. Paul enjoyed a great first season in Rookie Ball and ended the season ranked the #8 prospect in the Complex Leagues by Baseball America. However, an elbow injury sustained during Instructional League that year plagued Paul for the rest of his time with the Mariners and he retired early in 1993.
Since that time, Paul has coached baseball at the youth, middle school, and high school levels as well as girl’s fastpitch softball at the middle and high school level. His teams have experienced success at all levels and have always been very good offensive teams that can put runs on the board!
Beyond coaching and playing, Paul has experienced tremendous success in his career as an educator. He has been a teacher, assistant principal, middle and high school principal, and an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. His postgraduate work in education includes a Master’s in School Administration and Doctorate in Educational Leadership. It is this that makes him a unique coach that can assist perspective student-athletes in the educational and athletic arena simultaneously.
Paul lives in the Kernersville area with his wife, Tina and son, Brooks.

DAVID CARICO
(Co-Founder)
David Carico was born in Winston Salem and graduated from South Stokes High School in 1989. David grew up playing soccer and baseball through Middle and High School, as well as playing left fullback in soccer. He graduated from Appalachian State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He worked for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company until joining his father at Triad Crane. In 2001, he began Carolina Hoist (crane business) in the Triad. Soon after, he began another successful business in the steel erection industry called Beam Heavers, Inc.
David has participated in sports his entire life. He coached teams within Kernersville Little League while his children were young. He then moved to being a coach of multiple travel ball teams (Kernersville Warriors, Surge, and the Carolina Diamond Dawgs) with his youngest son Michael Carico. He watched his son from the stands for the showcase team – The Carolina Rockies.
David recognizes the importance of creating a unique training environment to maximize athletic potential and help each athlete understand what he/she needs to do to get better. He focuses on an athlete’s individual technique to improve their overall athletic efficiency, reducing the chance of injury while providing a positive mentoring relationship that helps the athlete learn what it takes to be successful.
David is married to Brenda Carico and they have four children – Zack, Lily, Madi and Michael. Brenda spent her early years with Wachovia Bank and has been the Financial Administrator/CFO of The Summit Church for the past ten years.

Amber Smith
Amber was a softball standout at Starmount High School earning All-Conference, All-District, and All-State her senior year. She continued her career collegiately at Averett University and Montreat College. She graduated from Montreat with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. She remains active in the softball community coaching a youth travel team. Amber provides hitting and pitching lessons.

Breanna Butcher
Bre is currently pursuing her Doctor of Physical Therapy at Winston-Salem State University and remains active in the softball community through coaching at her high school. With many years of coaching and a variety of playing experience, Bre is well equipped to provide catching, hitting, and fielding instruction.

CARLEIGH NESTER
Carleigh was a softball and volleyball standout at East Forsyth High School where she was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame. She continued her softball career at Elon University as a Lefty-Briggs Scholarship recipient. Carleigh experienced much success during her four years at Elon leaving with five records. She is well equipped to teach hitting, fielding, base running and basic pitching mechanics.

CAYLA CECIL
Cayla is a graduate of Wesleyan Christian Academy where she received All State and All Conference honors all four years. Cayla was also named Conference Player of the Year her freshman, sophomore, and senior years. After high school, Cayla continued her softball pitching career at Tusculum University in Greenville, TN where she earned a degree in Elementary Education and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. Cayla remains active in the softball community and provides pitching lessons at DXT.

GWEN JOHNSON
Gwen has 10 years of experience providing hitting and fielding lessons for fast pitch softball players throughout the Triad. She played college softball at Louisburg College and UNCG. Her hitting instruction includes, but is not limited to, a linear style of hitting with a rotational finish; however, this also depends on the kid, their strength and learning curve. Gwen is focused on helping each player reach their individual goals.

JEREMY NEYRA
Jeremy Neyra, originally from Miami, Florida, is a former Division 1 shortstop that played at Hialeah High School where he was a 2-time All-State selection. From there, he went on to a successful junior college career and earned a scholarship to Missouri State University before transferring to High Point University.
While at High Point University, he was named to the All Big South team during his senior year. Jeremy has gone on to work with all ages of travel ball players from 9u to High School Showcase. He loves working with kids and seeing them improve. He specializes in working with infielders and hitters.

Kendall Kennedy

MALLORY FLETCHER
Mallory was a softball standout at Metrolina Christian Academy in Charlotte, NC where she received numerous All-State and All-Conference honors. She holds several school records including best ERA and most strikeouts. She went on to pitch collegiately at Western Carolina University where she earned a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Mallory remains active in the softball community and provides pitching and fielding lessons at DXT.

Matt White
Matt is a 23-year U.S. Army veteran and brings over 15 years of coaching experience to DXT. He has coached baseball at all levels ranging from youth to college, including serving as the Officer Representative (e.g., recruiting coordinator) for West Point Baseball. Matt is currently an assistant coach at Randleman High School and offers lessons in hitting, pitching and catching.