By: Danielle

May 17, 2005

Track is a very fun sport, but sadly the season is almost over. The IHM Track team has about six more track meets. Track meets are held all over the Summit County area; including Walsh, Elms, and even at Kent State. The students are girls and boys from third grade to eighth grade, combined with Saint Joseph’s in Cuyahoga Falls. The team practices on the Bolich Middle School track. [The team first warms up by jogging around the track for about ten minutes. After jogging, the coach chooses three people to lead stretches. The stretches last for about eight to ten minutes. Some of the stretches include: butterfly, hurdle stretch, and arm stretch. After stretching, the team splits up into smaller groups. These groups work on different things to prepare them for upcoming meets.

One event for third and fourth grade is the 50 meter relay. This race consists of four of the team members. Another race for this age group is the 60 meter dash. The 60 meter dash is an individual running event. Third and fourth graders also have the chance to participate in the field events. Some of the field events include: shot put, softball throw, long jump, stand still high jump, and running high jump.

The events for the fifth and sixth grade are 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 400 meter, 800 meter, 1600 meter, and field events. The 100 meter dash is an individual running event. The length of the 100 meter is one side of the track. The 200 meter dash is also an individual running event. The racers begin with a staggered start instead of a straight line across. In the 400 meter dash, the runners run around the entire track one time. In the 800 meter dash, runners run around the track twice. The 1600 meter, which is also known as the mile run, they run around the entire track four times. Some of the field events are for the fifth and sixth graders are: shot put, discus, high jump, long jump, running long jump, and softball throw.

The events for the seventh and eighth grade are: 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 400 meter dash, 800 meter, 1600 meter, and the field events. The seventh and eighth graders also have the opportunity to run in relays. Relays included: the 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, the sprint medley, and long distance medley. The sprint medley consists of four runners. The first two people run a 100 meter dash, the third person runs the 200 meter, and the final and most important runner does the 400 meter. The distance medley also consists of four people. The first two people run the 400 meter dash, the third runs 800 meters, and the final and most important person runs 800 meters. For the track meets, the runners run by their age group for every event.

The coach really likes the improvement of the team. He said that the first practice went really slow, but now it was going full speed. The meets have really improved. The first track meet was really slow and we didn’t win many events, but once we got a feel for it, we really moved up in the standings.

The team has really enjoyed the season. They have a special relationship with everyone. They know that if they have a problem they could go to any member of the team and ask them questions, or just talk to them about anything. They have formed this special kind of relationship with one another, because they have to run relays with each other. They all rely on each other because track is a team sport, and every member counts. Everyone on the team has really learned a lot and really enjoyed running track.

This table shows what every runner on the team runs.

50 meter relay	60 meter dash	100 meter dash	200 meter dash	400 meter dash	800 meter	4x200 relay	4x100 relay
Kevin	Kevin	Danielle	Kevin	Danielle	Gabe	Kevin	Danielle
Alex	Alex	Kevin	Max	Kevin		Alex	Kevin
Tyler	Tyler	Alex	Nick	Gabe		Tyler	Alex
Milea	Milea	Milea	Gabe	Alex		Milea	Tyler
Theresa	Theresa	Theresa	Alex	Tyler		Theresa	Milea
Max	Max	Max	Tyler	Stephan		Max	Theresa
Nick	Nick	Tyler	Robert			Nick	Max
Bailey	Bailey	Nick				Bailey	Nick
Robert	Robert	Bailey				Robert	Bailey
		Gabe					Robert
		Robert