Vermont State Championship Track and Field

Today has been a day of extremes.  Extreme heat, extreme thunder storms, extreme frustration, and also extreme pride.

Ready to go, bright and early Saturday morning!

Cole and Heather's Lake Region track team participated in the Vermont State Track Meet held at St. Johnsbury Academy. We set out before 8:00 a.m thinking that we would be ahead of the game and get there in plenty of time before the 9:00 start. We made it almost all the way down the drive way, feeling pretty lucky that it hadn't washed out in the rain, wind, thunder storm last night, as has sometimes been the case.  However, not so lucky that a massive tree wouldn't be blocking our path. Cole had been looking forward to this track meet for a long time, and was devastated at the thought of being late and possibly missing an event.  While Wes wrestled the tree with his chain saw, we received lots of offers of help and transportation from Joanie and Julie, (Thank you!) but I managed to track down another local family headed to the meet who swung up our way to take Cole and Heather. (Coincidentally, they also had trees and power lines down on their road, but were able to detour.)

With Cole and Heather safely on their way, Wes finished the tree, took a quick shower, and we were off once again to the track meet.  We had not missed any of Cole and Heather's events.

Cole was scheduled for the long jump, the 100 meter dash, and the 800 meter dash. He was disappointed that the rules this year wouldn't let anyone under 13 do the 1 mile run. Heather was up for the 100 meter dash, the 200 meter, and the long jump.  

Below, Cole and his friend Caleb wait for their turn at the long jump.  It was Caleb's family that came to pick up Cole and Heather.

I have no idea how what his distance, but he says, "it's not my thing."
(editor's note: I just looked it up on the website. His long jump was 3.11 meters, which was 9th out of 28.)

The 100 m dash is "his thing." Below, he and Caleb wait for the race.  Let me just add here that it was ssoooooo hot. I was dripping with sweat just standing and watching.  The kids were great sports about it. 

Joanie came at around noon time.  Just in time for me to hand her my camera to take pictures while I shot a video. She took this photo below. Thanks Joanie!

Cole wins the race below by a nose (is that a horse racing term?) which qualified him for...

...the finals in the 100m dash.  I think he came in 3rd in the finals (which means 3rd in the state, 11-12 age group) His time in the preliminary was 14.73 and in the finals his time was 14.56

I didn't get any pictures of Heather's events! I missed her 100 meter while watching Cole's long jump. I didn't even hear it announced. According to the website her time was 19.24. She said she came in 4th out of 5 girls. Oh well. Below, Heather waits for the long jump competition to begin. Which is when the thunder began. An announcement was made to immediately clear the field.  Thunder storms were expected, so the gymnasium was open for shelter.  The announcer informed the crowd that once the thunder stopped, there would be a 30 minute wait before the meet could resume. Unfortunately, the bad weather continued too long and the rest of the afternoon had to be cancelled. Heather was not able to do her long jump or 200 meter run, and Cole was not able to do the 800 meter.

They were disappointed that they were not able to finish their events, but when we got home, Cole said, "I really enjoyed today." He seems to have found "his thing."