By Danielle Beltran and Greta Ziegler
O’NEALS — Starting a track and field team at Minarets High School has been a long wait, and Mark Robinson has been the main supporter all along. Last year, organizers were given permission to have a club, but that did not work out. This year is different — Minarets finally has an official track and field team and, so far, it is showing much promise.
Since this is a brand new sport at Minarets, the coaching staff is all-volunteer. Three individuals have stepped up to help start this program: Mark Robinson, Denise Alvarez, and Wayne Pedranti. All of them have had previous experience in track and field or similar sports.
This is the beginning year for the track and field team, which means funds are limited and so is the equipment. As a result, Minarets will only be training and competing in the running/relay events, along with the shot put and discus. They are also hoping to add the long jump, and hurdles.
The team was fortunate to find sponsors who will help equip them with team shirts and warm-ups. The team would like to thank the YELP (Paul and Karrin Luce), North Fork SuperMarket, and Coarsegold Market for their sponsorships.
Plans to have their own track at Minarets are already underway. Current plans are for the track to be located on the new football field site, which will be completed in the next couple of years.
Unlike the football field, the track will be mapped out and graded for this season. Mark Robinson and his son BK, a senior at Minarets, are in charge of mapping out the future track in hopes that the team will be able to use it this year.
Minarets will be participating in the West Sequoia League. Their first meet will be the Rafer Johnson Invitational at Kingsburg High School on Saturday, Mar. 12.
The Minarets track and field team is still in need of sponsors. If you or someone you know might be willing to sponsor them, please contact Denise Alvarez at dalvarez@mychawanakee.org. It will be greatly appreciated.
Danielle Beltran and Greta Ziegler are Minarets students enrolled in Digital Writing
