Bandera Track Club (TX)

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http://www.banderabulletin.com/articles ... ts/774.txt

Bandera High School summer track club in full stride

Although the summer of 2006 is less than half over, the first summer of the Bandera Summer Track Club has come and gone, and what an eventful two weeks it was. From June 5-15, athletes from 6 through 18 years of age were able to compete in various track and field activities, ranging from daily instruction to camp instruction to actual competition. While daily instruction and camp instruction was open to all age groups, the competition phase was limited to the 14 year and younger age groups.

Daily instruction was available twice a day from June 5-7 and June 12 and June 14 for all age groups, and an instructional camp was held for all groups on June 9 and June 10. For the 10 and under age group, half day camp instruction was provided by local instructors, while five high school and former high school coaches, as well as one former college athlete, were brought to Bandera to provide full day instruction to the 11-18 older age group. During the camp, athletes, depending on their age group, were able to receive instruction in discus/shot put, distance training, high jump, long jump/triple jump, pole vault, and speed development.

A total of three track and field meets were available for the 12 and under age group to attend, while one of the three meets also provided competition for 13 and 14 year old athletes. The first track and field meet for the 12 and under age group was held in Kerrville on June 8. On June 13, the second 12 and under age group track and field meet was hosted by Bandera. Medina Valley hosted on June 15, the final track and field meet, which was open for 14 and under age groups.

A total of 70 athletes registered with the Bandera Summer Track Club, which is outstanding number for the first year of a summer track program. By age groups, the registrations were as follows: 6 and under, 7; 7-8, 11; 9-10, 12; 11-12, 16; 13 and above, 24.

By gender, summer track club membership had 30 male athletes registered and 40 female athlete registered. From 29 and 36 athletes participated in each of three meets, while 59 of the athletes with the Bandera Summer Track Club attended the first day of the Bandera Track and Field Camp and 60 attended the second day of the camp. In addition, 8 non-Bandera Summer Track Club members from other communities attended the Bandera Summer Track and Field Camp.

The Bandera Summer Track Club was successful enough in its first year of operation to envision hosting a second session of the Bandera Track and Field Camp next summer, if enough sponsorship can be secured and housing can be arranged for those instructors who come from other parts of the state. Increased sponsorship in 2007 would also allow the Bandera Summer Track Club to possibly start competing in A.A.U. Multi-Event Competition.

The Bandera Summer Track Club and its members wish to thank the 2006 sponsors, who were the Bennigan's at 2885 Cinema Ridge in San Antonio, Martha and Rick Groomer, the Dairy Queen in Bandera, Ponderosa Catering of Bandera, Billie Reeves, Patti Haltmar, and Fitness First in Kerrville.