Back in March we still didn’t know what kind of season we might have, and to be honest, it was still looking a little bleak. But after having our inaugural season canceled last year, we ended up launching our Spring Track & Field program with a bang!
We began our season with 50 kids signed up, with only a promise of weekly practices and, if all else failed, some intramural “competitions.” However, thanks to Mike Gross, the head coach of Ambler Olympic Club, a group of teams around the Delaware Valley were able to organize a last-minute series of high quality meets. This led to making lots of great contacts with other coaches, especially our new friends at St. Teresa of Calcutta, who invited us to three additional meets to start our season. Finally, we were also invited to join the New Jersey Track and Field Federation, and were able to fit in a meet hosted by the Marlton Track Club.
In all, we had four low-key meets with St. Teresa’s at Collingswood High School, one large meet with Marlton and several other teams at Cherokee High, a small but very fun evening meet with The Dashers Track Club at Lower Merion High School, and a final big meet hosted by The Whirlwinds Track Club at Glen Mills School. Given how unpredictable this last year has been, we are very lucky to have had so many opportunities to compete. Our athletes consistently demonstrated a very high level of sportsmanship and grit.
Next year we are hoping to have a regular schedule with the New Jersey Track & Field Federation, but we will also seek out fun meets with other clubs that share similar values. We are a club that values and celebrates success, and we also strive to simply make athletic training and competition accessible to all children.
Next up is our Summer Track & Field Camp at Cherry Hill West High School! This program is a great introduction to the entire sport, for younger or older kids. We keep things moving quickly with lots of expert instruction in basic technique for all events, mixed with fun, age-appropriate competition.
We will wrap things up for the summer with our annual Summer Finale Meet on July 16th at Cherry Hill West, and this is a great opportunity to meet the entire club for one event. The meet is professionally timed, and will include a pre-meet picnic for all club members and their families.
And after a brief break for the month of August, we welcome fall with cross country! We are hoping that all COVID restrictions lifted, we can welcome an unlimited number of kids to this fantastic sport. There is no better way to embrace the cooler weather, and even the approach of winter, than running outside all through Autumn. Our cross country program will have two levels this year; a beginner group for younger kids and those who are newer to running, and an advanced group for returning athletes, and kids who are comfortable running for extended stretches. As always, we welcome parents to join their kids in this healthy program!
That’s it for now. Hope to see you soon!
Coach Craig