Jumpstart youth track meet set for June 2

The meet, which features youths from kindergarten-through-fifth grades competing in numerous athletic events, is open to children free of charge.

Ribbons, which are provided by the Colonel Wright Elementary PTO and Dry Hollow PTA, provide the ribbons are awarded to the top-5 placers in each age division, boys and girls.

“The atmosphere is low key, but our message is for these kids to get involved, do their best and never give up,” said J.R. Runyon, elementary school P.E. teacher. “The times of the races are called out, but not recorded. Parents have the ability to write down the time and distances, but it’s not the leading goal of each race.”

Runyon and his fellow instructors will provide the children with directions to help them compete in the 50-, 100-, 200-, 400- and 800-meter runs, along with the long jump and javelin.

In addition to the core event participation, athletes will have demonstration courses on the triple jump, javelin and high jump.

“It seems that most of the kids will participate in every event. It is wonderful to see how a ribbon can motivate and satisfy these youngsters,” Runyon said. “In fact, these types of events will most likely produce our future middle and high school athletes. That’s worth the investment in itself.”

Children from Mosier, Dallesport, Goldendale, Hood River, Dufur, Sherman and Wasco County are invited to join in on the track and field fun.

Track and field is just one of the many parts of the curriculum that District 21 elementary school teachers Runyon, Marcy Brown, Conklin and Samantha Tenneson instruct students on.

“All students can take advantage of their learning by participating in these meets, as kind of a final exam,” Conklin said. “A final exam that brings with it a degree of anxiety and satisfaction when the track competition ends.”

For more information, email jumstyouthactivities@gmail.com or call 541-340-0926.