The Good Spirit School Division (GSSD) held its annual local track and field meet for middle years students in Grades 6-8 at Kinsmen Century Field last week.
Track meet organizer Mark Schendel says seven schools, four from Yorkton as well as three from the area had athletes participating in the event. The four local schools were Columbia, Dr. Brass, M.C. Knoll and Yorkdale Central. Area schools included Calder, Saltcoats and Springside.
The meet became mandatory for the school about five years ago in response to child obesity, inactivity and health problems, Schendel recalls. "It's basically a full day of physical education where we have kids running, jumping and throwing throughout the day," he explains.
The seven schools have a total of about 500 participants at the meet.
Students don't compete by grade level but rather by age levels. The peewee division includes all young--sters 12 years and under. The bantam division is for youngsters 13 years old as of August 31, 2011. The midget class includes all students 14 years old as of August 31 2011.
The three sprint events include the 100m, 200m and 400m races.
Long distance races are the 800m and 1,500m events. The 3,000 qualifier was run on a different day at the various schools.
Field events include the shot put, discus, as well as three jumping events, high jump, long jump and triple jump.
As a mandatory meet, all students in the seven participating schools are required to enter a minimum of three events up to a maximum of seven events. "There are a lot of events to choose from," Schendel notes.
The meet showcases the talents of GSSD students as well as recognizes excellence of its youngsters, Schendel asserts.
The meet is also a qualifier for the East Central District (ECD) track and field meet May 23 and 24. The four rural schools, including Calder, Salt-coats, Springside and Yorkdale Central provide 50 athletes to the ECD meet.
The Yorkton urban schools, including Colum-bia, Dr. Brass and M.C. Knoll also provide 50 athletes to the ECD meet.
Typically, the two top athletes in each category advance to ECD competition, Schendel explains.
The M.C. Knoll School archery team received Schendel's appreciation for running the canteen at the track meet.
He went on to thank the Yorkton Regional High School and principal Mike Haczkewicz for offering the use of Cen-tury field and school facilities for the event. "It's a prime facility for track and field," Schendel declares.
He also thanks all the spectators, including friends and relatives who came out to support the young athletes in their activities.
As well Schendel thanks the coaches who put in the time to prepare the youngsters for the track meet.
Finally he thanks the kids for their efforts at the various competitions. "The emphasis of their track and field meet is about fun and participation, but it is also about competition as well," Schendel closes.
