LIHU‘E – Pat Viernes, Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center manager and Hershey’s Track & Field Games Kaua‘i coordinator, can’t stop smiling when he talks about the upcoming Hershey’s Track & Field competition. “This year, we’re sending more kids from Kaua‘i to the
LIHU‘E – Pat Viernes, Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center manager and Hershey’s Track & Field Games Kaua‘i coordinator, can’t stop smiling when he talks about the upcoming Hershey’s Track & Field competition.
“This year, we’re sending more kids from Kaua‘i to the Hershey’s than ever before,” said Viernes, who has been involved with the program for 10 years. “It’s a big honor because they had to win in the local and state track meets and have the best times or distance in the region in order to be selected for the finals.”
Representing Kaua‘i, Dylan Koerte, Madison Leanio, Jessica Lopez and Sienna Santiago will meet up with eight other Hawai‘i track and field athletes and head for Hershey, Penn. next Tuesday.
Leanio, a fifth grader at Wilcox Elementary School, will compete in the boys, ages 9 and 10, 50-meter dash, while Lopez, a fourth grader at Kekaha Elementary School, will compete in the girls, ages 9 and 10, 50-meter dash.
Koerte, a sixth grader at Chiefess Kamakahele, will compete in the boys, ages 11 and 12, softball throw, while Santiago, an eighth grader at St. Theresa’s School, will compete in the girls, ages 13 and 14, softball throw.
A total of 480 youngsters from eight regions across the United States and Canada will be flying to Pennsylvania for the Hershey finals with all their expenses paid for including travel, food, lodging and activities.
Hawai‘i is part of region two, Pacific Southwest, which also includes Arizona, California, Nevada and
Utah.
In addition to participating in the national competition, the track and field athletes will also have the opportunity to tour the Hershey Chocolate plant and Hershey Park Entertainment Complex as well as meet Rafer Johnson, a former Olympic decathlon champion.
The Hershey’s Track & Field Program was created over 30 years ago to promote physical fitness and provide fun learning experiences
for youngsters ages nine to 14.
According to the Hershey’s Track & Field Games Web site, their program is the largest youth sports program of its kind in the United States and Canada.
