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Show Volume XIII THE Issue V OGDEN VALLEY NEWS December Page 3 15, 2005 Guest Commentary Community Asked to Raise $13,000 for New Snowcrest Track University of Oregon head track coach he wasn’t last anymore. He left Snowcrest in Bill Bowerman once stated, “Running, one 9th grade but is still running for the school he might say, is basically an absurd past-time now attends, upon which to be exhausting ourselves, but if Two years ago, a young lady came out for you can find meaning in the kind of running track. She had never been on a team in her you have to do to be on this team, chances life. It took her half the track season before are, you’ll be able to find meaning in anothshe could run a mile without stopping. The er absurd past-time. . . life.’ day she did, she went home after school, got her mom and had mom drive the course so I love to run. I love the simplicity. I lace up my shoes and am out the door. No helshe could see what she had accomplished. met, kneepads, or uniform are needed. No The smile on this young lady’s face was monthly dues, no driving to the gym. The enough to bring tears to my eyes. My daughfresh air, the sounds of nature, and the sense ter who is now a senior at Weber High is also of accomplishment when I am finished make arunner. Basketball, soccer, and volleyball me mentally and physically stronger. weren’t in the cards for her so she started Junior high students are in a tough phase of running at Snowcrest in 7th grade. She had life. They’re not really kids anymore, but seen her parents running for years so why they’re not quite adults either. Some of them shouldn’t she try it? Six years later, she is have never been on a team. They may have still running. Cross country and track have tried out and not made the cut or not tried out at been a wonderful outlet for her. It has built all because of lack of experience or confidence. her confidence, improved her fitness level, Maybe they think they’re clumsy or not fast and taught a work ethic that carries through enough. That’s the beauty of track; it’s a no cut to all phases of her life. It has also given her sport and we all know how to run, a core group of friends who are wholesome For the past five years I have volunteered at and goal oriente Snowcrest during the track season, and I could I believe running is a wonderful sport for relate story after story about students who have our children. They sleep better at night benefited from running. For most students, they because of the great exercise they are getting, can’t believe that running with a purpose can be they tend to eat healthier because coaches fun. My first year volunteering, a young man stress the importance of proper nutrition and ran track who hadn’t participated i in a team sport hydration, the discipline builds character. before. He started running with us and even Also, there is a definite correlation between though he was usually the‘last student back to exercise and “improved grades. By learning the school, he never quit. He always maintained that hard work in running creates results, they that being last didn’t bother him as long as he then make the connection that hard work in gota little faster each time. At meets, he just put any of life’s endeavors also generates results. his head down and kept running and eventually Running can be a lifelong activity. ‘tis the season to 66660066 Since you can’t “letter” in junior high, Snowcrest track students are given the opportunity to earn points toward a team shirt. This shirt is earned by a good attitude, good attendance at practice, team support, and an improved race times at each track meet. Runners don’t necessarily have to place in a meet; they just have to beat their previous best time. These shirts are not for sale—they have to be earned. I can tell you from past exper ience; these shirts are worn with great pride. The coaches at Snowcrest (many of whom are volunteers) are doing something right. There is a correct way to train, and by teaching the students about this, student injuries have decreased. Also, the number of students trying out and staying on the team for the entire season has increased. We are also getting a reputation at Weber High for sending them good runners. The down side: it is getting difficult to keep student athletes at Snowcrest safe while they train. The students need more experience running on a track, and less on our busy roads with heavy traffic and hard running surfaces, which is hard on growing legs and soft joints. The solution: our students need a track. A track will provide an environment for better training conditions, eliminate carpooling over the divide to Weber High’s track, and help coaches keep an eye on 50 or more kids while they run. Believe me, trying to keep an eye on this many runners when they are spread up and down the road for half a mile or so is very difficult. A 300 meter cinder track has been proposed for construction to the west of the softball diamond at the Snowerest. Cinder because it is softer than asphalt, and 300 meters because we can’t fit a 400 meter track within the property boundaries, though the track has been engineered with 400 meter find the perfect holiday gift at umé! %* twinkling jewelry & accessories *« unimaginably cute shoes & boots women's fine clothing & unique accessories 186 historic 25th st. ogden % 801.39.dream %* www.umedesigns.com HOME LLLE CELEBRATE “DANCING NEW YEAR’S UNDER EVE 7 DECEMBER 31st a 5522 E. 2200 N. EDEN(Next to Eden General Store) DIV ANMIO@INIB} PEAK Call 745-3737 x J »& Reservations Required w CI) INTERIORS & GIFTS THE STARS” SATURDAY we Thank you, Cynthia Beck, Snowcrest volunteer track coach Stocking stuffers and last minute Christmas gifts for all ages. * dazzling fashions 27 sized curves so the students can train on the same curves they will experience in a meet. Since last spring, a coordinated effort has been in progress with professional engineering and construction firms. Much expertise has been donated. track has been designed and surveyed. The school district has given their approval and support. A foundation has committed $20,000 towards the construction costs. The recent Halloween fundraiser held at Red Moose Lodge and the OVBA fundraiser are committed to this project and have provided funds. I’m also asking for help from the community to build this track. A remaining $13,000 needs to be raised by the end of January so work can begin on the track this spring. Surely, we as a community can see this through to completion. It is an endeavor by the community to benefit the community. What better gift can we give our children now and in the“future? This track will also benefit everyone else in the community who walks or runs. quote by Susan Last reads, “There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it is convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” L e a commitment to each other and to our children to raise the final funds to construct this track. Donations can be made directly to the Snowcrest Track fund at the Bank of Utah, or a check can be made out to Snowcrest Jr. High with a memo of “Track Fund.” Donations cans will be available at various businesses around the Valley as well. 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