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By: DAVID HUNTER, Post Contributor
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Posted: Friday, May 21, 2010 3:26 pm
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Youth track and field athletics from all across the area converged to Riverdale High last weekend for the 2010 local Hershey’s Track and Field meet.
The competition was open to boys and girl’s ages 9-14 as they tried to qualify for district and state meets that will be held next month at the same location.
Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Citywide Athletic Coordinator Thomas Laird said 67 kids participated in this year’s competition.
The top two finishers in each event advance to the Central District meet on June 5. Here's the full list.
Laird added that every kid received a ribbon and name recognition during the contest.
“We try to keep it positive, and make sure the kids have fun,” Laird said.
A few years ago Laird created a program that gave the kids that wanted to participate a chance to practice for the local meet. He along with help from Riverdale track and field coach Rickey Field prepares the athletics for the meet every Monday night.
Some of the aspects they teach is nutrition, proper technique and getting them ready mentally to compete. They try to simulate an actual meet, like using a starters gun. However, the rules prohibit the athletics from putting spikes on their shoes.
The Middle Half event provides a grant for the kids to get free shoes.
The group also includes kids not yet old enough to participate, but want to learn the necessary skills needed for the future.
Some of the athletes to watch for at the district meet include, Marcellis Martin, who qualified with two wins in the boys 9& 10-age division. He ran the 50-meter dash in a race-winning time of 7.11, and the 100m dash in 15.51. He also finished runner-up in the softball throw.
On the ladies side, Whitney Tesi won both the 100m and 200m dash in the 13& 14 age division.
“All the kids that finished, finished with good times and I feel confident that a portion of them will compete at state,” Laird said.
At least five competitors from each state will qualify for the North American meet on August 7 in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Besides participating in the actual meet, those competitors also get to have some fun at the Hershey’s factory.
“It smells really good,” Baird said. He is required to go to the meet since he is the state coordinator.
He added most of the kids like the factory, but are more excited when they go to the amusement park that is in the same location.
Last year, Joy Frierson made all the way to the North American Finals last year, and she won the girls 13 &14 100-meter dash. Frierson qualified for the North American meet on four different occasions.
Also on opening night of that meet, former track and field stars Carl Lewis, Bruce Jenner and others speak to the kids about doing their best no matter what happens in the event.
The next step for the athletes is the Central District meet on June 5 at Riverdale. The state meet on June 19 will take place at the same track.
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