seventh graders race into track unit in wellness

Story by Leila Antony

Feet thump and hearts race as out-of-breath students rush past the finish line, trying to beat their classmates.

In the track unit for gym, there are a total of eight events.

“The events are 200 meter dash, 100 meter dash, 400 meter dash, 800 meter dash, 1600 meter dash, shot put and the long jump,” Emily Weed, seventh grade, said.

The track unit in gym is preparing some students for track season, which takes place from March to May.

“The gym track unit makes me want to do school track because I like to compete with my classmates,” Caroline Shepherd, seventh grade, said.
    
Some students like seventh grader Alaina O’Rear love to run track. She said she really likes the competition and having fun while she’s getting her own exercise.

There are different types of track runners, some like the shorter distances, while others enjoy the longer distances.

“I like the 200m race because I am a sprinter. I am not as good as long distance,” Shepherd said. On the other hand, O’Rear said she is more of a long distance runner than a sprinter.

O’Rear also ran track for clay last year. She ran a variety of events like the four by eight relay, the mile, and the 400m. She said that track for gym was a warm up to get back into running track.
    
​“I enjoy sprinting in track because it is fun and I like to race my classmates,” Weed said.