Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Awards Ceremony Info
Our awards ceremony will take place Saturday, May 1 at 4pm at the Trussville Intermediate School (formerly the Middle School--the one next to the track) Gymnasium. Bring your own seats unless you are okay with bleachers. Light refreshments will be served.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Hershey Track and Field
I have received word on the Hershey Track and Field program several of our athletes participated in last year. It is for youth turning 9 this year through age 14. For info on specific events involved go to http://www.hersheystrackandfield.com/index.aspx
The local, state-qualifying meet will be held at Lawson Field in Birmingham on May 8. The top 2 in each race advance to state which is the following weekend in Greenville, AL. I will hold additional practices the weeks before those meets for those interested in competing. Participation in these meets is typically less than $10 and is a good opportunity to compete with other youth around the area/state.
If you are interested in participating in this program, let me know within the next couple of weeks.
The local, state-qualifying meet will be held at Lawson Field in Birmingham on May 8. The top 2 in each race advance to state which is the following weekend in Greenville, AL. I will hold additional practices the weeks before those meets for those interested in competing. Participation in these meets is typically less than $10 and is a good opportunity to compete with other youth around the area/state.
If you are interested in participating in this program, let me know within the next couple of weeks.
Friday, April 2, 2010
2nd Meet Coming Up!
Well, we have been wishing for warmer weather, and by golly, we got it! I have seen some excellent running in the heat this week, and I'm sure it will pay off at our next meet. Be sure to bring water to practice every time!
Group coaches will be filling names into races for the meet over the next few days, so be sure to let them know at your next practice if you have specific preferences of what events you would like your child to be in.
Our Tuesday, Thursday group will be providing concessions for this meet. To keep my garage from getting too full of tempting snacks, we will just have the younger groups from Tues/Thurs bring concessions for this meet, and have the older groups from Tues,Thurs bring to the last meet. If you have more than one child, you only need to bring one item. Below is the breakdown of what we need from whom:
5 and under girls: cookies (like oreos, nutter-butters, etc) or chips
5 and under boys: non-chocolate candy (like sour straws, sourpatches, blow-pops, etc)
6 year olds: water or chips
7 year olds: Soda
I will be collecting these items at practice next week. Our concession stand did well last week--thanks for your support. The kids are all working so hard, it will be so nice to be able to have nice awards at the end of the season for them!
Group coaches will be filling names into races for the meet over the next few days, so be sure to let them know at your next practice if you have specific preferences of what events you would like your child to be in.
Our Tuesday, Thursday group will be providing concessions for this meet. To keep my garage from getting too full of tempting snacks, we will just have the younger groups from Tues/Thurs bring concessions for this meet, and have the older groups from Tues,Thurs bring to the last meet. If you have more than one child, you only need to bring one item. Below is the breakdown of what we need from whom:
5 and under girls: cookies (like oreos, nutter-butters, etc) or chips
5 and under boys: non-chocolate candy (like sour straws, sourpatches, blow-pops, etc)
6 year olds: water or chips
7 year olds: Soda
I will be collecting these items at practice next week. Our concession stand did well last week--thanks for your support. The kids are all working so hard, it will be so nice to be able to have nice awards at the end of the season for them!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
First Meet Complete!
The first home meet of the season is always a nervous time for me. This year was no different, especially with the increased number of participants we have. But, thanks to all the athletes who showed excellent sportsmanship, all the parents from our team and the visiting team who were supportive and encouraging, and all the volunteers who helped and were willing to "learn on the job," we had a really great day. We completed 65 track races, and had approximately 100 kids participate in 2 field events--all in just over 5 hours. That is over 12 events/ hour. WAY TO GO!!!
I want the next meet to be even better. I have mulled over and discussed with parents and coaches ways we can improve. We considered dropping the relay. It takes a long time to plan for and, compared to the other events, a long time to execute. However, it is the one "team" event in the meet, and a chance for runners of all levels to help each other achieve in ways they may not have the opportunity to otherwise. So, for the next meet, we won't be dropping the relay. But, in order to expedite the flow of things, we need more volunteers, particularly at the finish line timing. If you timed last time, WONDERFUL, please help out again! If you didn't help time but think you could, please send me an email. If we have 2 groups of 6 timers that take turns timing the events, we can move those who just ran off to the side to work out placement, times, and awards, while the next race gets set up and started. I believe this will SIGNIFICANTLY improve the flow of the meet.
Inherent with this sport are officiating mistakes. If you don't experience it at some point, you are unusual. Those officiating at the finish line are volunteers doing the best they can, but they ARE human. Use your best judgement when you see a mistake (regarding whether or not to address it), and please remember the goal of this program is to foster positive feelings in our children about themselves and toward the sport of track and field. I was very impressed with the sportsmanship displayed at the last meet, and I know it will continue.
Below are some pictures my dear husband and others took at the meet. Enjoy!!
I want the next meet to be even better. I have mulled over and discussed with parents and coaches ways we can improve. We considered dropping the relay. It takes a long time to plan for and, compared to the other events, a long time to execute. However, it is the one "team" event in the meet, and a chance for runners of all levels to help each other achieve in ways they may not have the opportunity to otherwise. So, for the next meet, we won't be dropping the relay. But, in order to expedite the flow of things, we need more volunteers, particularly at the finish line timing. If you timed last time, WONDERFUL, please help out again! If you didn't help time but think you could, please send me an email. If we have 2 groups of 6 timers that take turns timing the events, we can move those who just ran off to the side to work out placement, times, and awards, while the next race gets set up and started. I believe this will SIGNIFICANTLY improve the flow of the meet.
Inherent with this sport are officiating mistakes. If you don't experience it at some point, you are unusual. Those officiating at the finish line are volunteers doing the best they can, but they ARE human. Use your best judgement when you see a mistake (regarding whether or not to address it), and please remember the goal of this program is to foster positive feelings in our children about themselves and toward the sport of track and field. I was very impressed with the sportsmanship displayed at the last meet, and I know it will continue.
Below are some pictures my dear husband and others took at the meet. Enjoy!!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Important Info for First Meet
Our first meet is just a week away! Here is some important information for you to know:
1. Concessions: The concession stand is our team fund-raiser. Each family supplies one package of individually wrapped items (as categorized below), for the stand, and parent volunteers sell them during the meets. For this first meet, those who practice on Monday and Wednesday will be supplying the food . (Tues,Thurs will supply for the 2nd meet, and we will use what's left for the 3rd). The money we make from the concessions pays for the end-of-season awards and refreshments. Please bring your item to practice this week. I will have a bin there to put them in. If you have more than one child on the team, just choose one item to bring.
Under 5:Package of individually wrapped sweet items (M&M's , Skittles, Granola Bars, Cookies, Etc).
6-7: Package of individually wrapped single serving chips
8-12 Boys: Crackers
8-12 Girls: Gatorades, Soft-drinks
2. Events: Each athlete may participate in 3 individual track events, 1 relay, and 2 field events. Some of the youngest participants may not be ready to do that many events at the first meet, which is fine. If your child has preferences for which events he/she wants to do, be sure to let their coach know at the first practice this week. I plan to have the event schedule ready with lane assignments made by mid-week. Here is the list of available events:
1600m: All Ages
4x100m relay: All Ages (though many 3-4 yr olds may not be ready for this)
400m: All Ages
50yd: 8 and under
100m: All ages
800m: All ages (though few under 8 are ready by the first meet for this event)
200m: All ages
Shot-put: All ages (6lb shot for 8+, 4lb shot for 6-7, and 1lb softball for 5 and under)
Standing Long Jump: All ages
1. Concessions: The concession stand is our team fund-raiser. Each family supplies one package of individually wrapped items (as categorized below), for the stand, and parent volunteers sell them during the meets. For this first meet, those who practice on Monday and Wednesday will be supplying the food . (Tues,Thurs will supply for the 2nd meet, and we will use what's left for the 3rd). The money we make from the concessions pays for the end-of-season awards and refreshments. Please bring your item to practice this week. I will have a bin there to put them in. If you have more than one child on the team, just choose one item to bring.
Under 5:Package of individually wrapped sweet items (M&M's , Skittles, Granola Bars, Cookies, Etc).
6-7: Package of individually wrapped single serving chips
8-12 Boys: Crackers
8-12 Girls: Gatorades, Soft-drinks
2. Events: Each athlete may participate in 3 individual track events, 1 relay, and 2 field events. Some of the youngest participants may not be ready to do that many events at the first meet, which is fine. If your child has preferences for which events he/she wants to do, be sure to let their coach know at the first practice this week. I plan to have the event schedule ready with lane assignments made by mid-week. Here is the list of available events:
1600m: All Ages
4x100m relay: All Ages (though many 3-4 yr olds may not be ready for this)
400m: All Ages
50yd: 8 and under
100m: All ages
800m: All ages (though few under 8 are ready by the first meet for this event)
200m: All ages
Shot-put: All ages (6lb shot for 8+, 4lb shot for 6-7, and 1lb softball for 5 and under)
Standing Long Jump: All ages
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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