Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. Nederland Elementary fifth graders took part in a Track and Field Day last week. This is a long-standing tradition for fifth graders in Nederland and meet records go back as far as 2003. The track and field events take place in the morning. Students then eat lunch, take a tour of the middle/high school and have activities to help them become familiar with their new school for next year. Seventh grade Middle Level 360 Leaders staffed all events and helped to give the fifth graders a peak into what awaits them in middle school.

There were 18 events that fifth graders could participate in. The students were encouraged to do their best and perhaps set a new school record.  Three new records were set this year and one record was tired. Melanie Hill set the Running Long Jump record with 12’8”. Charlie Davis broke the 50 Meter Hurdles record in a time of 9.03. In the 400 Meter Relay Abigail Hess, Ruby Gustafson, Sierra Tomlinson and Tatum Vernon set a new record of 1:11:53 taking down an eight year old record. Tyler Goodnow tied the 59 yard record in the Foxtail Throw.

Simone Smead, elementary PE teacher, coordinates the track and field event with Allison Barrett, the Middle Level 360 Leader sponsor, who coordinates the 360 Leaders and the afternoon activities. John Leventhal and Mary Joyce, with years of experience running this event, were invaluable co-coordinators and event operators. A big thank you goes out to the fifth grade teachers Tammy Forrest and Brenda Theodorakas, Juliana Kellner high school PE teacher, the Middle Level track and field volunteers, and the high school facilities staff. 

When asked how the morning went students said that they had a great time and were tired. It was a time of friendly competition as the students close their time at Nederland Elementary and get ready to move to middle school. 

2019 Track and Field:

First Place (Girls – Boys)

High Jump: Halle Peiffer 3’11” and Avery Monroe-Kelly 4’3”

Running Long Jump: Melanie Hill 12’8” and Corbin O’Rourke 13’6”

50 Yard 3 Legged Race: Olive Strum/Perrine Breche 12.44 and Griffin Petrovic-Jones/Mason Ivey 28.6

50 Yeard Jump Rope Race: Abigail Hess 9.31 and Jesse Martin 10.36

Football Throw: Liona Mites 50 pts. and Colton Crapsey 300pts., Mason Ivey 300 pts.

Frisbee Throw: Zinevra Creapeau-Julseth 2 yds. and Mason Novak 47 yds.

Foxtail Throw: Abigail Hess 38 yds. and Tyler Goodnow 59 yds.

Softball Throw: Liona Mites 18 yds. and Avery Monroe-Kelly 35 yds.

Soccer Kick: Nigel Worthington 15 pts.

Volleyball Serve: Zinevra Creapeau-Julseth 3 pts. and Colton Crapsey 8 pts. 

Basketball Hot Shot: Reya Levy 1 pt. and Colton Crapsey 15 pts. 

50 Yard Dash: Abigail Hess 8.21 and Indio Koonz 7.15

50 Meter Hurdles: Ruby Gustafson 9.34 and Charlie Davis 9.03

100 Meter Dash: Charlie Davis 16.05

400 Meter Run: Abigail Hess 1:30 and Charlie Davis 1:34

400 Meter Relay: Ruby Gustafson/Abigail Hess/Sierra Tomlinson/Tatum Vernon 1:11:53

400 Meter Relay: Mason Ivey/Griffin Petrovic-Jones/Ty Williams/Charlie Davis 1:11:03

1 Mile Run: Abigail Hess 7:56, Ruby Gustafson 7:56 and Charlie Davis 8:30