Improving Sprint Start Technique

Outstanding Meet Performance/ Injuries/Coaches Info.

Outstanding Meet!

Our home meet last Tuesday was amazing and notable for the number of personal best performances.  We gave out close to 100 stickers for students having best ever times or distances.  Some athletes had record performances in four events.  Way to go Spartans!

Injuries

We are working to improve fitness and skills to keep personal best progress going with moderate workouts.  After warm-ups, we may run 100, 100, 200, 400, 200, 100 on one of our toughest days.  We are also fortunate to have world class facilities.  Despite this we are having many students complain of injuries.  

14 students were laying around camp with ice bags today unable to practice.  I learned that only three of these students had visited with the trainer.  

Here's where we need parents help.  We will always error towards safety when a child complains of pain.  Our policy is to keep any student too injured to practice out of meets.  Middle school runners, however, don't always know the difference between expected discomfort getting in shape and an injury requiring rest.  Please visit with your child to help make this determination.

We asked that students too injured to practice stay home, rest, ice, heal and do homework instead of coming to the track.  

Parents please contact coaches to communicate that you are aware of the absence from practice and the injury.  Lets work together to make the best decision for each runner.

Here's the section of our expectation contract that deals with communication.

"Practices and meets are mandatory for all student/athletes. If you miss a practice or a meet, you must have an excuse signed by your parent. Absences for academic reasons require prior approval."

For girls please contact the following coaches for all communication;

• Heath Anderson (district teacher) heath.anderson@isd199.org
• Bridget Serig (district teacher) bridget.serig@isd199.org
• Megan Parker  megpark66@gmail.com

For boys please contact the following coaches for all communication:

• Thom Fisher (district teacher) thom.fisher@isd199.org
• Nathan Schram shram25@yahoo.com

Flyer and Registration Link for May Day (2nd) 5k.

Register on-line here.

No Practice Friday April 24th.

I hope all families had a chance to meet with advisory teachers during conferences.  We will not have practice, as we do not have school.  I encourage all students to catch up on their homework and get a couple of runs in.  Next meet is Tuesday, April 28th at Simley.

Lots of good work on a cold windy day at Henry Sibley.

One tough 4x400 team

This is what fast looks like standing still

Anna running the 1600 meter

4-22-15 @ Sibley Away Mahtomedi, Hastings, Richfield Middle; Some Bullying Info

Our meet tomorrow is with three of the other larger teams in our conference.  I'm thinking this will mean we are back a bit later.  We never know for sure how long a track meet will take.  I'm guessing we will be back at the school about 7pm.  Maybe earlier or later.

The weather looks sunny and dry with cold windy temperatures.  Please help your student dress appropriately.  Please also send a healthy snack with them.

While the majority of the students on the team are doing an outstanding job, we have had a few unfortunate incidents bullying on the team.  We have spoken with the students.  Below is our number one item from our expectation contract.  Please visit with your athlete about what it means.

1.         Being a member of the Spartan Middle School Track Team is an honor and a privilege. It provides a chance to develop your body and mind. It is both hard work and lots of fun. All athletes need to demonstrate a positive attitude towards all school personnel, coaches, teammates, and officials. You are expected to cooperate with all. Hazing or harassment will not be tolerated while fun is expected.

Please contact coaches if you have questions.  Email is best.  I plan to do a "meet the coaches" post in the next couple of days.  In the meantime for issues with the boys' team please contact Coach Thom Fisher (thom.fisher@isd199.org)  For questions with the girls teams please contact Coach Heath Anderson (heath.anderson@isd199.org)  

Several Important Announcements

The Simley Track and Field Store is open until Monday April 19th at 9am.  This is the same site that the high school team orders from.  Please read the return policy before ordering.



We will not have practice on Friday, April 17th, as Simley is hosting a high school meet. 


We will take our Team track pictures on Tues, April 21st.  Please wear your new shirts if possible.

Our next meet is Wed. April 22.  Go Spartans!

How to Improve your Long Jump Technique

Pay special attention to the landing phase @ 1:25 of this video.

More T-Shirt sizes available/ Our Meet Today is Canceled. There Will be No Practice Today

Our meet is canceled because of the cold, windy, and wet weather.  Practice is also canceled for today.  In the future we will be using gym space when available for bad weather days.

On a sunnier note, I contacted the T-shirt company today. We can order shirts in the following sizes, youth large, youth extra large, small, medium, large, extra large, 2 extra large.  Please email or have your child speak to me to change size if needed.  I have everything on a Google Drive sheet, so it is an easy switch.  I want kids to feel good about their new shirts.

Track Spirit Wear Order (Due Friday, April 10th)

IGH Track T-Shirt Order Form

          The middle school track shirts will be charcoal grey with the lettering displayed above.  The shirts cost $10.  Please fill out the form below completely and neatly.  All orders and money must be in to coaches no later than Friday, April 10^th.  Late orders will not be accepted. 

*Checks need to be made out to STB.  Put student’s name in the memo line.

First Name_______________ Last Name _________________

Grade_________ Circle size   s  m  l  xl  xxl

This page may be printed if students need a copy of the order form.