Potosi Schools started its first middle school track program this year in 2022. They wanted to start a middle school track team because it is a fun sport for the students to participate in and give them experience before high school track. Barry Shliem said, “I am the co-head coach at Potosi with John Bartazewiez. There are 15 Potosi students in the middle school track program. The track season lasts for about eight weeks, with five track meets.
There are running events such as the 100 meter dash, the 200 meter. The 400 meter, 800 meter, 1600 meter, 100 meter hurdles, 4x100 relay, 4x200 relay and the 4x400 relay. There are also field events such as long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, and discus.
Barry Shliem stated, “we have practices 2 to 3 times a week from 3:30-5:00 pm. At practices we work on our running and field events. Our main focus with our beginners is to work on running form and introduce them to track while having fun, making track an enjoyable experience, and hoping they will continue within the sport.”
Before a track meet, you shouldn't workout, but you should warm up by stretching and running to loosen up the body before competing and to prevent injuries. To win a track meet your team needs to win the most events. To win an event you must have the fastest time in the running event, throw the farthest in discus and shot put, and jump the longest or highest in the jump events.
The Middle School track team at Potosi has been a success and everyone hopes it continues as one of the newest sports that is offered to the middle school.