And They’re Off ... Runners Get On Track At An Early Age

By Andy Hutchison

Young track and field athletes are getting on track for — in the case of some of the field competitors, getting a jump on — their training at the Nike Hawks Running Camp at Newtown High School’s Blue & Gold Stadium this summer.

The second of a four weeklong sessions wraps up this week as elementary and middle school-age track enthusiasts learn the basics from Eileen Fish, director of the camp.

All of the counselors are high school or college athletes chosen based on their specialty — be it in hurdles, sprints, distance, or a field event. Fish notes that with so many camp counselors, the young athletes get one-on-one, sometimes even two- or three-on-one training. The camp was selected by Nike to receive sponsorship because of its having been around for five years, Fish’s 31 years of coaching experience, and student involvement (the counselors earn school community service hours for their efforts), Fish notes.

“I love this. The summer camp is one of my favorite times because there’s no pressure,” Fish said. “The most exciting part for me is when I see someone accomplish a goal — especially if they didn’t think they can do it.”

The camp counselors are literally raising the bar for high jumpers who test just how big of a leap they can make, and runners learn proper form from the older athletes on hand.

The camp’s assistant director, Kelley Sullivan, a 2009 Newtown High graduate who competed on the school’s track and field and soccer teams, specializes in relay team handoffs and starting block technique. “I really love working with kids because they’re so young so you’re always doing something fun,” she said.

Fish notes that the fun isn’t necessarily track-related activity. The program is offered for three- and six-hour sessions each weekday and culminates with a Friday campwide meet — complete with medals for winners. In between all of the training are breaks for art projects, Fish said.

Sam Boland, a rising junior track team member at NHS, coaches the hurdlers. “I like it a lot. It’s a fun thing to do — it’s fun to see how much kids grow in a week,” Boland said.

Fish points out that many of the participants are not necessarily track athletes, but rather soccer and basketball players, or participants of other sports, who want to get in shape for their upcoming seasons.

William Carello, a seventh grader, is new to track and is learning discus throw and hurdle events. “I like it a lot. To be honest, I’ve never been on a track team before and I think I’ve improved a lot from this,” Carello said.

In addition to learning how to succeed in specific events, the campers also get strength and conditioning training from Masuk High School football player Tyler Camp. The Monroe resident, who will be a senior this fall, instructs the participants with speed ladder and stair-running along with sprinting and other drills.

“I like taking things I know and teaching people who want to learn about it,” said Camp, who will go into the US Marine Corps after high school.

The Friday meets include a counselor’s relay race, which Fish and the campers alike get a kick out of. In this past week’s session, camper Kyle Gaynor captured first place in the high jump event. Sam Arnold long jumped 13-foot-6 for a win and she captured first in the 200 meter dash. Matt Winkler won the hurdles and the 100 meter dash. The 1600 was won by Connor McNerney. Makenna Cerney was the top girl in the high jump. Maddie Finley was the first girl to cross the finish line in the 800 meter race. Claire Better was a standout in the discus throw. Maddie Albee and Marina Llopis earned medals in the long hump and 100 meter dash. Kaleigh Roche was the 50 meter dash winner and was a top finisher in the 100 meter dash as well.

 

There is still room for additional campers in the final two weeks of program. Visit Newtownhawks.com for information.