Third time's a charm as Park District track finally bests Mother Nature
But before that could happen, a number of youngsters got in their events, from some hurdles and the 1600, to the high jump, long jump and several other field events.
The meet was eventually finished the next week, and capped off a great program for the Park District.
The multi-night track program has been a great way to get kids active and interested in track throughout all of Holmes County.
“I think it is a great opportunity for these kids to get exposure to a wonderful sport that they might well be involved with down the road in high school,” said Jen Halverson, Park District director.
“But more than anything, we want to get them out here and get them active. If they fall in love with something while they are out there doing that, that is all the better. Hopefully they will find something they really enjoy out here, get passionate about it and work hard at it.”
If the youngsters needed any more incentive, they certainly got it on this night.
Before the final Park District meet of the season took place, the State qualifying members of the West Holmes track team and tennis team were honored.
The group of about 20 athletes came rolling in on a fire truck courtesy of Fire District #1, and one by one they were honored by their coaches for their tremendous effort and hard work over not just the course of the season, but throughout their careers.
Many of those athletes being honored were involved with Park District Track at some point, getting their introduction to the sport through meets just like this one.
Future star distance runner Caiden Carter even got the pleasure of having All-Ohio senior Cully Gordon run with him in the 1,600 in the opening event of the night, Carter putting on a burst of speed with a mighty kick in the end to pull away from Gordon.
Carter broke the 10 year-old Park District record for the 1,600, finishing in 6:58.
Other records on the final night included Tegan Harris, who broke the 9 year-old girls 100 meter record, 10 year-old Katie Sprang who snapped the 100 meter hurdles record in 14.22, and Madison Glassford, who duplicated Sprang’s feat, but in the girls 8 year-old division.
While the finale ended up spanning not one, or even two, but three days thanks to rain, Halverson was thrilled with the summer’s effort, and especially to have a chance for the youngsters to help recognize some of the high school track stars of today.
“I was really excited when they made this happen tonight and got both the Park District kids and the State track meet high school kids here together,” said Halverson. “We just want to give them the initial exposure to this, and then to have them be able to see these awesome athletes and what they have accomplished, and to be able to be a part of recognizing them for their achievements, that is great.”
And after the high school students were honored, young Brogan Steimel came down and collected each of their autographs on a State Track & Field program, showing just how inspirational these high school athletes are to these youngsters.
Halverson said that this only serves as another way to get kids involved and excited about the opportunities that are ahead of them.
“It’s been a great track season for us,” said Halverson of the summer Park District program. “We have seen a number of records set yet again. Each year I think they can’t keep breaking these records, and every year we have a bunch of new ones set.
“It’s been great to see them improve, but I get more joy out of seeing all those smiles when they cross the finish line.”
“The improvement these kids make from the first day until now is amazing,” added Robert Rinfret, who has been a long-time supporter of the Park District track program. “We go from chaos on the first day of practice to what they are doing now. It’s a good way to introduce them to the sport.”
For more photos of Park District track action, visit our site at: holmesbargain hunter.com/facebook.