Fifth-grader Vera Vaz goes over the fundamentals for the discus with Fallon varsity track athlete Carson Rigney.
The 10th installment was one of the best for the Fallon track program’s elementary track and field meet Thursday at the Edward Arciniega Complex.
About 60 students and future track stars piled onto the track and delivered energy and enthusiasm into eight events. A twist, though, came when the parents ran one leg of the 4x100-meter relay race.
“We only had one pull a hamstring,” Fallon boys coach Steve Heck joked.
“The elementary meet is always good because a lot of the kids (varsity athletes) helping were them four or five years ago,” Fallon girls coach Paul Orong added. “The parents love to follow them around.”
The event featured students ranging from third- through fifth-grade. In addition to the youngsters, current Fallon athletes acted as the coaching staff teaching the elementary students the fundamentals of each event.
“This was one of our more successful ones,” Heck said. “It was just a very positive atmosphere. The kids were having a fun time and love looking up to the older kids.”
Each elementary athlete who finished in the top six of their respective event received a ribbon, similar to a regional or state meet for high school athletes.
As for the high school athletes, Heck said it gives them an opportunity to give back to future Greenwave athletes.
“I think they enjoy it and they can show off some of their skills,” he said. “A lot of them really just take to the little kids and love it.”
“Our kids love being the mentors and the coaches,” Orong added.
On the track, third-grader Thien Pell nabbed five victories as she won the 100 (19.12 seconds), 400 (1:38.60), 1,600 (8:31), long jump (8 feet, 8 inches) and high jump (9-1). Liliana Brown won the shot put (10-8) and the discus (17-0).
For the boys, Steven Moon was nearly perfect as the third-grader won seven individual events. He took home the top spot in the 100 (16.60), 400 (1:20.50), 1,600 (7:25), high jump (3-6), shot put (17-1) and the discus (37-0).
Alexander Mattern stood in Moon’s way of a clean sweep with a victory in the long jump (9-4).
Courtney LeBlanc won three events in the fourth-grade events with victories in the 100 (16.11), 400 (1:25.34) and high jump (3-4). Xandry deArrieta won the 1,600 (7:40), while Ellie Springfield swept the shot put (14-2) and discus (27-0).
Luke Sorensen had a solid performance in the boys division with four wins including the, 400 (1:22.95), 1,600 (7:29) and long jump (11-3). Kenny Jensen won 100 (15.94) and the high jump (3-4), while Jonathan Andersen was tops in the shot put (19-2) and discus (38-0).
In the fifth-grade division, Emily Giovanetti won four events including the 100 (17.59), 400 (1:28.95), 1,600 (7:59) and long jump (7-6). Aubrey Renfroe won the high jump (3-2), while Anna Shirley nabbed wins in the shot put (18-0) and discus (40-0).
For the boys, Levi Andrews won the 100 (15.10), 400 (1:20.12), long jump (10-9.5) and high jump (3-10). Cole Cornmesser won the 1,600 97:54), while Kaden Rickerson won the shot put (16-9) and Jayden Wassmuth took first in the discus (35-0).
“It’s just a positive experience,” Heck said. “It gives those kids an exposure to track and field they don’t get.”