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Local Olympic hopeful Carrie Messner-Vickers, left, demonstrates the standing long jump for Jessie Worley during Monday morning's Hershey Track and Field Meet in Carbondale.
CARBONDALE - Nico Seamons hustled around the track, exhibiting the poise of someone several years his senior.
Generally, getting a 12-year-old to run is a taller task than getting them to eat their vegetables. Seamons, though, loves it.
"I just really found out I was kind of fast, so it's something I enjoy. I'm really competitive, especially when I'm good at something," said Seamons, whose white Beckham jersey evidenced his truest sports love, soccer. "(Running) takes something within yourself. It's good for me because I have to push myself."
The Carbondale resident was among a small field of youngsters at Monday morning's Hershey Track and Field Meet at Roaring Fork High School. And he impressed, zooming to wins in both the 800- and 1,600-meter races.
As part of a national program geared toward 9- to 14-year-olds, Hershey puts on local meets such as the one in Carbondale throughout the nation. From the local meets, kids can qualify for state and national competitions. The Colorado state meet is slated for June 23 in Lakewood.
Town of Carbondale Recreation Coordinator Rebecca McCarthy and local track and field standout Carrie Messner-Vickers - just nine days from heading to Indianapolis for the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships - coordinated the morning's proceedings.
Both shouted out tips and words of encouragement as children ran the track and participated in the day's field events - the standing long jump and softball throw.
Generally, getting a 12-year-old to run is a taller task than getting them to eat their vegetables. Seamons, though, loves it.
"I just really found out I was kind of fast, so it's something I enjoy. I'm really competitive, especially when I'm good at something," said Seamons, whose white Beckham jersey evidenced his truest sports love, soccer. "(Running) takes something within yourself. It's good for me because I have to push myself."
The Carbondale resident was among a small field of youngsters at Monday morning's Hershey Track and Field Meet at Roaring Fork High School. And he impressed, zooming to wins in both the 800- and 1,600-meter races.
As part of a national program geared toward 9- to 14-year-olds, Hershey puts on local meets such as the one in Carbondale throughout the nation. From the local meets, kids can qualify for state and national competitions. The Colorado state meet is slated for June 23 in Lakewood.
Town of Carbondale Recreation Coordinator Rebecca McCarthy and local track and field standout Carrie Messner-Vickers - just nine days from heading to Indianapolis for the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships - coordinated the morning's proceedings.
Both shouted out tips and words of encouragement as children ran the track and participated in the day's field events - the standing long jump and softball throw.
McCarthy, who'll be instructing a twice-weekly youth track and field program this summer in Carbondale, pointed out the value in the Hershey program.
"Sports are extremely important in building your self-confidence," McCarthy said. "This is also a good way for them to see if they like it, to find out what's involved."
Messner-Vickers, the U.S. 2,000-meter steeplechase record-holder and a 2008 Olympic hopeful, enjoyed her morning before heading off to Colorado Springs to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
"It's just something I can do to give back to the sport, especially since it's one that's given me so much," she said.
"Sports are extremely important in building your self-confidence," McCarthy said. "This is also a good way for them to see if they like it, to find out what's involved."
Messner-Vickers, the U.S. 2,000-meter steeplechase record-holder and a 2008 Olympic hopeful, enjoyed her morning before heading off to Colorado Springs to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
"It's just something I can do to give back to the sport, especially since it's one that's given me so much," she said.
Messner-Vickers may be a big name in the track and field world, but she admitted most of the young athletes on hand Monday probably had no idea who she is.
"That's OK," she said. "I'm a track athlete. Most kids know the Olympics, but it's not the same as with football stars or baseball players."
Still, those in Carbondale took well to Messner-Vickers, who quickly learned the names of the 15 or so kids on hand.
Seamons, who left late in the meet to attend soccer camp, flashed a wide grin when asked what he thought of Messner-Vickers' appearance.
"That's really neat," he said. "It's not like we're in a big city. It's cool to have people like that here."
Maybe someday Seamons will be one of those people.
"That's OK," she said. "I'm a track athlete. Most kids know the Olympics, but it's not the same as with football stars or baseball players."
Still, those in Carbondale took well to Messner-Vickers, who quickly learned the names of the 15 or so kids on hand.
Seamons, who left late in the meet to attend soccer camp, flashed a wide grin when asked what he thought of Messner-Vickers' appearance.
"That's really neat," he said. "It's not like we're in a big city. It's cool to have people like that here."
Maybe someday Seamons will be one of those people.
Hershey Track & Field Winners
Monday, June 11
• 100-meter dash: Kaleigh Wisroth, 15.1 • 200: Mikayla Axtell, 32.0 • 400: Paco Coursey, 1:38 • 800: Nico Seamons, 2:52 • 1600: Nico Seamons, 6:10 • Softball throw: Will Masters, 118-9 • Standing long jump: Maria Mork, 7-11 |
