Snap Shot

- Monday Feb 22: 7th Grade Sprinters (60m, 100m, 200m) & 7th/8th Mile Runners
- Tuesday Feb 23: 8th Grade Sprinters (100m, 200m) & 7th/8th 800m Runners
- Thursday Feb 25: 7th & 8th Grade 400m & Shot Put & Long Jump
- Friday Feb 26: 7th & 8th Grade High Jump

Who: Everyone who is interested. Must have a physical on file & be academically eligible.

How Many: There are 30-33 slots on each the team. There are no "garunteed" slots for last years runners.

What is Required:

- Sprinters: Run/Race each of the following - 60m (7th Grade Only), 100m, 200m, and 400m
- Distance: Run/Race each of the following - 400m (1 lap), 800m (2 laps), 1600m (4 laps)
- Field Events: Participate/Attempt any of the following - Long Jump, High Jump, Shot Put

How are athletes choosen:

Each athlete will be evaluated based on their times and attempts in comparison to the others who have tried out. If an athlete shows them self to be among the top 4-6 in a particular event or series of events, then they will be selected. The selections are almost purely on a "results" basis, with a minor consideration given to "personality" only if an athlete shows themself to be particularly hostile.

Slightly Longer

Track and Field is a very exciting and versitle sport, that is different then most other athletic events students have participated in to this point. It is broken down into two components:

• Beat your personal best
• Beat the opponent competiting against you

Track and Field is also different then most sports because most athletes have never truly "played" it before. I encourage students to try a variety of events, as you do not know what you will be good at. For example: In the 2009 season we had the most dominant group of High Jumpers in the conference, each clearing over 4'9" (which would earn points in most high school meets). All four of my High Jumpers had never attempted high jump before the season had started. I have similar stories with a shot putter, long jumper, and 400 runner as well.  Many athletes stick to the "sprinting events" because that is what they know and are comfortable with, and never branch out due to the fear of the unknown.

Here is a break down of the types of events and the physical/mental requirements for each:

Sprints - 60m (7th Grade Only), 100m, 200m (1/2 Lap), 400m (1 Lap)

• Description: These events are the shortest and most commonly known events in track, but require the greatest amount of natural talent to be successful. This is about quick acceleration, top end speed, and a strong competitive spirit.
• Talent: Aggressive, competative attitude. All about the ability to get fast leg turnover (aka: get quickly from one step to the next). Pure speed is something you are born with and work to build upon. Sprinter speed is rarely "Developed" through training.
• Tryout Requirements: Those who want to be considered for sprinting events must be timed in the 60m (7th grade only), 100m, 200m and 400m.

Long Distance - 400m (1 lap), 800m (2 laps), 1600m (4 laps)

• Description: This is were talent meets hard work, where effort can start to win out over talent. Distance requires speed AND endurance. Many people who have good-but-not-blazing speed. Sprint speed shy away from distance events because they are afraid of the work required to do well in them. Distance events requiring holding certain speeds over longer distances, while also being able to hit that "top gear" as the race comes to a close. As a distance runner myself, distance running can be very rewarding, fulfilling, and enjoyable.
• Talents: These events tend to favor those with longer legs (though not required), patience, tough mentality, competitive spirit, and strong work ethic. It also requires good thinking, as smart race strategy is a big part of distance running.
• Tryout Requirements: Those who want to be considered for distance events must be timed in the 400m, 800m, and 1600m.

Long Jump, High Jump

• Description: These events are about speed and jumping ability. You have to accelerate to full speed within 5 to 14 steps and then launch your body off of the ground. In the high jump, it is a vertical jump (created by the swinging motion of your arms and legs at take off) with the goal of getting good hieght to get over the bar. In the long jump, it is going for distance forward.
• Talents: Quick accelerations/and speed. Explosive jumping ability. Good balance and coordination. Tends to favor those who are dancers/cheerleaders/gymnasts who do the jumps and tumbling... though that is not necessarily a requirement for success. Must also have personal courage, as fear will crush the greatest of athletic ability.

Shot Put

• Description: This is the one event that does not require running to compete, but is based on strength & power. The shot put is where the athlete uses a particular physical form to "launch" (not throw like a baseball, but launch) a 4 pound metal ball, seeing how far they can make it go.
• Talents Needed: Strong upper & lower body. Ability to build power from the rotation/twisting of their hips in order to launch the metal shot. Good balance and coordination is helpful as well.