The inaugural Practice Greatness Youth Track Meet took place on July 25th at the Cedaredge High School Track. The evening brought a threat of thunderstorms, but the clouds stayed away long enough for the event to be successfully completed. Numerous young competitors from all over Delta County and visitors from other states participated in various track and field events. Several of the races had very close finishes, with the participants battling for placement until they crossed the finish line. Parents and volunteers were there to cheer them on, and most finished with a big smile on their faces.
This event was planned and organized by Ellison Black, a student at Cedaredge High School. She wanted to give younger children in our area the opportunity to learn about basic track events and experience the fun of competing in running and field events. The track meet featured distances from 50 meters to 400 meters as well as a soft ball throw and standing long jump. All proceeds from the event will be used for a Practice Greatness Memorial Scholarship that will be given to a graduating senior this spring at Cedaredge High School. This scholarship will be given to honor the memory of Reid Gates, an amazing student, athlete and leader from CHS. Donations may still be made to the scholarship by contacting Ellison by email at erb42203@gmail.com.
Ellison greatly appreciates all the friends that volunteered their time to make the meet run smoothly. She would also like to say a huge thank you to her event sponsors: Starr’s Guitars sponsored the 50 meter dash, Stacy’s On Main sponsored the 100, Dan and Connie Williams sponsored the 200, Mountain Valley Realty LLC sponsored the 400, Big John’s Lumber sponsored the long jump, and Bank of Colorado sponsored the softball throw. Ellison also greatly appreciates her other sponsors: Bert Sibley, Blair and Associates P.C., The Apple Shed, DMEA Operation Round Up, the High Country Shopper, Cedaredge FoodTown, Millennium Wellness, and Williams Cellars, LLC. Most of all, she would like to say thank you to the families that attended. She was very impressed by their competitiveness! Ellison plans to continue this event and to try to make it even better by having a series of meets next summer with a bigger variety of activities.
Winners for each event (if two names are listed, it was a tie) – ribbons and medals were awarded.
-50 Meter Dash
1st-2nd Grade Girls – Daylan Frost
1st-2nd Grade Boys – Sayje Cortez and Leif Pierson
-100 Meter Dash
1st-2nd Grade Girls – Daylan Frost
3rd-4th Grade Girls – Jaelyn Polson
5th-6th Grade Girls – Joella Payne
1st-2nd Grade Boys – Sayje Cortez
3rd-4th Grade Boys – Harrison Suppes
5th-6th Grade Boys – Isaac Tullis
-200 Meter Dash
1st-2nd Grade Girls – Rose Gonzales and Daylan Frost
3rd-4th Grade Girls – Neela Mendez
5th-6th Grade Girls – Joella Payne
1st-2nd Grade Boys – Leif Pierson
3rd-4th Grade Boys – Harrison Suppes
5th-6th Grade Boys – Paul Gonzales and Isaac Tullis
-400 Meter Dash
3rd-4th Grade Girls – Jaelyn Polson
5th-6th Grade Girls – Rachel Brooks
3rd-4th Grade Boys – Harrison Suppes
5th-6th Grade Boys – Paul Gonzales
-Softball Throw
1st-2nd Grade Girls – Rose Gonzales
3rd-4th Grade Girls – Neela Mendez
5th-6th Grade Girls – Joella Payne
1st-2nd Grade Boys – Leif Pierson
3rd-4th Grade Boys – Carson Rupp
5th-6th Grade Boys – Paul Gonzales
-Long Jump
1st-2nd Grade Girls – Daylan Frost
3rd-4th Grade Girls – Jaelyn Polson
5th-6th Grade Girls – Joella Payne
1st-2nd Grade Boys – Leif Pierson
3rd-4th Grade Boys – Harrison Suppes
5th-6th Grade Boys – Paul Gonzales
Kole Hawkins was the event photographer.