Middle School Track & Field
Author: MT43 News Staff Reporter
MT43 News Staff Reporter
With the spring thaw comes the beginning of the track and field season and from the recent flurry of activity behind Broadwater High School, it is alive and well. The high school squad this season consists of a mighty 18 boys and 21 girls; the largest team in recent memory.
Taking the helm this year as head coach is Angie Tew. She takes over the head job from Travis Rauh, who led the Bulldogs for more than two decades, but do not think she is new. She has been an assistant coach at her alma mater for the past 19 years, specializing in the sprints and hurdles. She heads a team of veteran coaches beginning with long-time throwing coach and retired teacher, Pat Hamilton who begins his 30th year. Training the distance runners is Brooke Dolan, who also coaches the successful cross-country program in the fall at BHS in her 14th year. Rounding out the coaching team is Principal Brad Racht along with his wife and middle school teacher, Missy who guide the jumpers.
The track events are the running events and can be divided into three categories: sprints, distance, and relays. The sprints include the 100-, 200-, and 400-meter dashes, as well as the 100/110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles. The distance races include the 800-, 1600-, and 3200-meter runs, roughly measured at one-half, one and two miles, respectively. There are generally two relays at the high school level. In the 4 x 100 relay, the handoff must be done with precision to get the best times possible. The 4 x 400 relay is generally the last event of any meet and may determine the team trophies.
The field events can be split into two categories: throws and jumps. The throwing events include discus, shot put and javelin. The long jump and triple jump are the horizontal jumps, while vertical jumps would include the high jump and pole vault (although BHS does not have a pole vault due to a lack of a pit).
Each athlete can compete in up to five events, which includes both track and field, at each meet. For some super-talented Bulldogs, that can be a limitation, as according to Coach Tew, many of her squad could be competitive in more. That is why you will see some athletes switching up their events from meet to meet.
This hard-working and talented group of kids will kick off their season by traveling to Frenchtown on March 28th. Good luck Bulldogs!
