Ranger Relays
What: Free youth track and field event
When: 6 p.m., May 2, 6, 9 and 13
Where: Crosby-Ironton High School track
Chris McCusker is at it again.
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The mind behind the C-I Youth Running Program returns this spring and hopefully many more to bring interested families the Ranger Relays.
Similar to McCusker's fall cross country brainchild, Ranger Relays will focus on track and field and give elementary aged students some early insight into the sport.
"Our fall little cross country thing ended and a few people asked if we could do something in the spring," McCusker said. "A couple of us that help with that thought it would be a fun thing to do with track. When my kids were younger, they had the Hershey's Track and Field Meets so that's kind of what we were thinking, but those ended two years ago. They no longer exist.
"So Hershey and USATF (United States of America Track & Field) co-sponsor this new thing called "Run Jump Throw" which is an elementary school development program for track and field. I signed up to be an organizer for that. We aren't going to use the name, but we will use some of their resources and video training."
The four-event program is being offered for students in grades 1-6. The events will start at 6 p.m. May 2, 6, 9 and 13 at the Crosby-Ironton High School track.
The first three days will focus on learning about different events, running through drills and practices relating to those events.
The last meeting May 13 will be a track and field meet. The longest distance for fifth- and sixth-graders will be 800 meters or twice around the track. The longest distance for the third- and fourth-graders will be 600 meters and 400 meters will be the top distance for first- and second-graders.
"We're going to also work on long jump, sprints, hurdles and relays," said McCusker. "Those will be the stations we address during our first three meetings. We'll do practices and drills geared toward those events. Then on the final day we'll run it just like a track meet and kids can come and when an event is called they can sign up. And those will also be run by age groups. We'll give out ribbons."
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The events are open to all students not just C-I students. They are sponsored by Cuyuna Regional Medical Center and Crosby-Ironton Community Education. The program is free and no registration or commitment is required.
Athletes are welcome for any or all of the sessions. Participants should be dressed prepared to run (no open-toed shoes) and bring their own water. Parent volunteers are also appreciated.
And as always the focus will be on fun.
"Anybody who wants to come can come. I don't know if any other communities are doing this so we just want to introduce all kids to the beauty of this sport," McCusker said. "A lot of these kids will have tried the cross country version we have here and many of them don't like running long distance. So this is neat.
"The beauty of track is you don't even have to be a runner. You can jump or throw or do sprints. So we're just trying to help the kids find a niche or something they may want to pursue."
McCusker has recruited the help of retired C-I track and field coach Roger Twigg along with the current Ranger track and field coaching staff.
Events will start with a large group warmup and then athletes will be split by age groups and will spend 10 to 15 minutes at various stations.
For more information contact Chris McCusker at stormthecastle66@gmail.com or 319-541-5580. Check the Ranger Relays Facebook page for updates.
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JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at 855-5856 or jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jeremymillsop .
