Summer track opens with high interest

There was something for everyone when Dave Walker opened the summer track program, Friday.

Walker said response to the program has been good with about 30 phone calls inquiring about the program.

“I want to officiate,” said Jean Alexander who was helping Walker with the aspiring track athletes. “I ran track while I was in college, and eventually, I want to become a certified track official.”

That goal got Alexander on the field to help Walker who walked the young athletes through the various events as well as encouraging them to try events that were new to them.

“This is really good,” said Wesley Elmore, whose son Nathanael was one of the students. “Nathanael is a long distance runner, but coming to this exposes him to other areas that he might find enjoyable as well.”

Using techniques brought over the earlier visit of the University of Hawai‘i track coach and athletes, Walker incorporated them into introducing the athletes to the shot put and discus.

Maliana Kaui lost little time attacking the High Jump bar, her eyes sparkling when Walker announced that event.

The third grader said she earned at least two blue ribbons at the recent county Age Group Track Meet and that motivated her to attend the program.

Walker patiently worked with the athletes, helping them find the approach to the bar that was most comfortable to them.

“They have the potential,” Alexander said. “They just need to be coached.”

Working through basics of hurdles, starting and other track techniques, Walker said, “We do this for real starting next week.”

Walker said the summer track program is sponsored in part by the county’s Recreation Agency.