Junior Striders Spring Track - 2011

The Howard County Striders are happy to again provide this special youth program! Practices will be at Oakland Mills High School on Mondays and Thursdays beginning March 28 and ending May 23. Practices will be from 6pm to 7:15pm but could change slightly depending on size of team. Make sure to read weekly emails from the Coach!

Info

This program is for children in school from Kindergarten to 8th grade and high schoolers not on their high school team. This spring track program is for EVERYONE (from beginners/non-competitive kids to experienced competitive athletes to kids that can only come some of the time). To reduce risk of injury, running shoes (not spikes) are encouraged for everyone to practice in and Feet First has brought in some affordable kids training shoes for around $40 just for this program. Most sprinters and competitive distance runners use spikes to compete in but they are NOT required. Ask for the 10% Striders discount if you buy shoes at Feet First in the Hickory Ridge Village Center, Charm City or Road Runner Sports.

There will be a second and more competitive and serious Summer Track Program for children in 1st through 12th grade wanting to continue competing in the summer. We will compete in the AAU Club Championship event in Walt Disney World (7/13-17/11). Details and registration coming in April.

Practice

The more the athletes practice and compete the better they will get but practices and meets are not required. They will:
*become a member of the Howard County Striders for 2011 if they aren’t already; *receive a uniform, sweatshirt, t-shirt, etc. depending on program signed up for; *have the opportunity to try any of the events (sprints, distance and field events) at practices and at the weekend meets (transportation NOT provided-meets cost approximately $5-schedule to be emailed and posted on web site); *have the opportunity to practice twice a week with the 20 experienced coaches and approximately 300 teammates; *have the opportunity to compete in meets on the weekends against athletes their age starting Sunday April 10, including a home meet (parents: PLEASE plan to attend and volunteer at the home meet on Sunday May 15) and, *receive a team medal and enjoy a pizza party on the last day of practice (Monday May 23-please plan to attend).

Helpful Hints

*Use a bathroom before coming to practice.
*Don’t eat what will upset your stomach.
*Bring a drink (water, Gatorade, something like that) to EVERY practice.
*Wear running shoes and athletic clothes based on the weather conditions.
*Adults – provide positive and supportive comments.

Registration

Please mail in registrations ASAP so the right size uniforms can be ordered for your kid(s); late registration will be accepted at the first several practices but first choice of uniform sizes might not be available.

See the application above for more registration details.

Regular Season

Regular Season Youth Track Meets-all invited

• April 10 (Sun.)/Blue Ridge Express/Brunswick HS (101 Cummings Dr, Brunswick, MD 21716)/11:30 Reg/1:00 Start

• April 17 (Sun.)/Catoctin/Catoctin HS (14745 Sabillasville Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788)/11:30 Reg/1:00 Start

• April 23-24 *Easter Weekend - No Meet

• May 1 (Sun)/Excel Track Club/North Carroll HS (1400 Panther Dr, Hampstead, MD 21074)/11:30 Reg/1:00 Start

• May 7 (Sat)/Frederick Striders/Tuscarora HS (5312 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick, MD 21703)/8:00 Reg/9:00 Start

• May 15 (Sun)/Howard County Striders/Oakland Mills HS/11:30 Reg/12:30 Start

• May 21 (Sat)/Middletown Track Club/Middletown HS (200 Schoolhouse Dr, Middletown, MD 21769)/8:00 Reg/9:00 Start

Post Season

For those interested in competing at a high level there will be a summer track program in June and July.

Summer Track Program - Post Season Meets

• June 5 (Sun.)/Hershey Track Meet/Long Reach HS (6101 Old Dobbin Rd, Columbia, MD 21045)

• June 12/13 MD District Qualifier, Poly Cal High School

• June 23-26 National Qualifier, Hagerstown MD, South Hagerstown High School

• July 13-17 National Club Championships, Walt Disney World, Florida