Banquet Poems:

2009:

O Track and Field

O Field and Track

The characters on this team we do not lack.

Each athlete on this team must play their role,

Even those weird ones who use a pole.

We come in all sizes and shapes

Starting with the throwers who are as strong as apes.

We have the distance runners who run forever

And the sprinter types who say to those miles, "Absolutely never!"

We have the jumpers who have springs in their feet

And each must do their best on the day of the meet.

When you put in the work from July to June

You'll have the chance to see Target in the light of the moon.

So whether it's friends, competition, Arcadia, buses, or the "Cool Runnings" theme,

You're pretty much always welcome on the Washington High School Track and Field Team.

2010:

Run, Jump, Throw, Dig Deep,

This is the motto our team wanted to keep.

In order to rep the orange and black

We showed up every day inside of Tak.

With our short shorts on and our laces tied tight

We toed the line ready for a beastly dog fight.

Our muscles looked ripped and our hearts pounded in our chest

As the competition looked on to see us at our best.

The throws were astounding and the jumps surprised all

With their graceful beauty that made the spectator's jaws fall.

But the season is over and we all did fine,

So let's just sit back, relax, feast, and dine.

Mission Dual

Boys F/S lost (52-82) to a team that outnumbered us by a lot. F/S finsihes the season with a record of 3-3. Girls JV won with a score of 73-61. Final record is 5-1. Girls varsity won a close one 69.5-66.5. Record, 3-3. Boys varsity won 79-57. Record, 5-1. In the process were some great performances and gutsy races. Also, Jesse Reist broke the school pole vault record with a jump of 9'6". And Stephanie Van Sprakelaar tied the old mark of 9'0". Excellent job! We have MVAL finals next week, which should prove to be great competetion to achieve some great marks.

Spaghetti Dinner Thanks

I thought last nights fundraiser was a success. As our first try at an event such as this, it was also a learning experience. Next year we will do it even better. For everyone who bought & sold tickets, you were great. Especially Mr. Petersen who sold 50 tickets. Thanks to the team who set up and took down the tables & chairs in an efficient & speedy manner!

I need to mention special thanks to all the people who helped do all the work that made dinner & raffle possible. Brenda DuCoty, Carmen Rodriguez, Robyn Padilla, Lucy Rich, Nannette Dunford, Agnes Vernot, Shawn Taylor, Rosemary Mason, Catherine Sanchez, Barbara Chavez & Angela Yee. You are all awesome - thanks for doing what needed to be done.

All of the raffle prizes were donated by local individuals & companies and it would be great to show our appreciation to them by shopping at the following stores or doing business with: WalMart (Albrae), Cloverleaf Bowl, Club Sport, BJ's Restaurant, Premier Design Jewelry by Heidi Beck, Round Table Pizza, Claim Jumper Restaurant, Commercial Environment Landscape, Rite Aid. Special thanks for raffle prize donations by private donors Robert & Emelia Powell & Shawn Taylor.

Coach Ben was in charge of the auctions & entertainment which was wonderful. Thanks Ben and all who participated in the evenings activities. Next year we will have a microphone so everyone can enjoy what was happening up front. We especially enjoyed seeing you get $100 for a relay team to wash 2 cars!

We are well on our way toward our goal of having matching uniforms for the 2011 season.

My sincere thanks to everyone who participated in any way.

Joyce

Woody Wilson

Good job to the people who qualified and competed at Woody Wilson in Davis. The boys distance medley team placed second, and the girls distance medley team broke the school record by 9 seconds!

Dig Deep

There is more to life than just school and track and field. Because this team is more than just athletes, we are doing a fundraiser to raise money for the people of Pokot in Western Kenyan. These people walk long distances to get water from this hole in the ground. The thought process going into this was to give a penny for every point we score in dual meets or any amount you want to contribute to raising money for clean water. This might be in the form of a water tank or a bore hole (hence the name "Dig Deep") We dig deep within ourselves to achieve our best on the track and dig deep for water. If you are interested in contributing or want to participate email Coach Vose or ask him for the fundraiser sheet.

Spring Break!

Hope everybody is enjoying their break. Although school is taking a rest, the team is still working out at 10am. If you are in town, come to practice. If not, do your best to do something so you don't lose your fitness. Last week we competed against Kennedy. I am pleased with how the team is progressing, and it showed last week in our dual meet. Although I am not terribly concerned with wins and losses, it is a good indicator of how we are doing as a whole. The scores last week were: F/S Boys: 71-51 (WIN), JV Girls: 78-48 (WIN), Varsity Boys: 103-30 (WIN), Varsity Girls: 138-4 (WIN). Next week we are competing against Newark on Wednesday. We are really going to have to put our best foot forward if we want to compete for the win. So be sure to put in the work this week and prepare for some good competition next week.

Book Collection Fundraiser

Hey everyone! There is a new fundraiser is being introduced to the team on Friday March 26th.

We will be collecting used books with collection bins made available starting Monday, March 29th through Thursday, April 29th

Each group will be responsible for emptying collection bins and delivering them to Mrs. Taylor at the start of each days practice/meet according to the following schedule:

Monday.........Throwers

Tuesday........Runners (includes hurdles)

Wednesday...Distance

Thursday......Runners (includes hurdles)

Friday...........Jumpers (includes vault)

This is intended to be broad in scope and should be announced to friends, relatives, neighbors, teachers, co-workers, anyone else you can think of. Please spread the word so we can gather as many books as possible.

The collected books will be sold to an online service and half-price-books, depending on the greater value. Any books we cannot sell will be donated to the Alameda County Library system.

Please contact Joyce Taylor if you need additional fliers. (joycemtaylor@pacbell.net)

vs American

Final scores: F/S Boys-67-54 (WIN); JV Girls-105-21 (WIN) Var Boys-75-60 (WIN); Var Girls-63-72 (Loss)

You all did a great job. Everybody (almost) did what they were supposed to do, had a great attitude, and even picked up (most) of the trash at the end of the meet.

Remember, if you are interested in going to the movie night at Coach Ben's house Friday March 18 from 6:30 to whenever, be sure to get his address at practice or email.

Fundraising

Be sure to give Coach Ben the postcards or $20 donation. If this is not received, it is highly unlikely that you will receive any awards at the end of the year. It is this money that allows the team to go to invitationals and get equipment and uniforms.

Cougar Invite

The distance medley team took first to start off the day that included many medals. Their time moved them up to the # 6 spot on the Washington top ten list.

Skyline Newbies

Logo Wear Delivery

We are still on track with all the warm ups, sweats and t-shirts being delivered before our first league meet. In a perfect world you will have them on Wednesday after practice but the world is not perfect. So . . . prepare for the possibility that they may be issued just before the meet starts on Thursday. Your cooperation and PATIENCE during the distribution time will be necessary and appreciated. We received almost 90 orders so it will be quite a production.

WE WILL NOT RELEASE ANY ORDERS TO ANYONE OTHER THAN THE NAME ON THE ORDER FORM. DO NOT SEND YOUR FRIEND TO PICK UP YOUR ORDER.

Once you receive your order, take 90 seconds to check that you were issued the correct item(s) and size(s). Your order form will be included with your items so you can check these details immediately.

Once you leave the distribution area, we cannot be held responsible for any missing or incorrect items. If you find a discrepancy, report it to the volunteer that handed you your order immediately.

Skyline Invitational

Well, the first competition is in the books, and overall it was a job well done to all the participants. We had several top six finishes that included a first by Seth Eddings in the discus, first by Ben Rich in the 1600, and a first in the boys distance medley. All the newcomers overcame nerves to establish a baseline for them to improve upon. Unfortunately only a few athletes went. Remember, although optional, to be considered for a varsity, jv, or frosh/soph letter it is important to participate in the invitationals.

Jewelry in Competition

FYI - some officials are more strict than others but it is better to be safe than sorry . . .


CLARIFICATION OF THE NFHS RULES BOOK CONCERNING JEWELRY
Track & Field and Cross Country athletes are prohibited from competing while wearing jewelry. (Track & Field RULE 4, 3-6, X C - Rule 9, 5-7 NFHS 2008 Rules Book). The only exception to this rule is religious and medical medals if not detached, must be taped to the body. A watch may be worn. While not inclusive, the following are some examples of allowed vs. prohibited items.

Examples of Legal Items:
One watch – worn on the wrist
Religious medal – Medal must be taped to the body under the uniform.
Medical alert bracelet – taped to the wrist with the faceplate showing.
Insulin Pump – approved and verified in writing from physician
Heart monitor – only with physician’s statement documenting the need.
Atomizer - only with physician’s statement documenting the need
Glasses – preferred framed to eliminate the chance of injury
Sunglasses – preferred framed to eliminate the chance of injury
Rubber bands or elastic bands to control the hair – even if the elastic band has a small piece of metal. (Additional – girls may wear ribbons in the hair that match the school colors) not extreme.
A scrunchie or ribbon to control the hair – maximum of two ribbons in total – school colors.
Tattoo – unless objectionable – if objectionable it must be covered.
Regulation headband or knit cap – Must be unadorned except for school name, school nickname, or school mascot, school colors.
Regulation “sweat band” for the head when needed - Must be unadorned except for school name, school nickname, or school mascot, school colors.
An American Flag, not to exceed 2 X 3 inches.
One manufacture’s logo/ trademark is permitted on each piece of apparel which does not exceed 2 ¼ square inches and may not exceed 2 ¼ inches in any direction.

Examples of Illegal Items:
No chains or necklaces.
Cloth/ yarn/ hemp /etc., bracelets.
Rubber band or bands on wrist/ ankle.
Earrings – even if covered with tape.
Rings or any other jewelry/ piercing (ie, navel rings, tongue rings, eyebrow rings, and other pierced body parts)
Barrettes or bobby pins/ beads/etc.
Face/ body paint and or stickers, Glitter.
Baseball hats, scarves, bandannas, do-rags, etc.
Pins, except to hold on competitor numbers.
Ribbons, pins, etc. Attached to the shoes/ shoes/ laces (exception-computer chips)

Clerks, the meet Referee, starters, and Field Event Judges, etc. must still do preventive officiating

Uniforms Being Distributed

This week athletes are checking out uniforms. Those who are competing in the Skyline Invitational will be first. You must check out the uniform by type & size of jersey and shorts. At the end of the season, all uniforms must be returned. Make sure you get all items checked in to avoid any confusion or being held responsible for items you returned.

You may wear under your uniform a solid color "Under Armour" type of t-shirt or short. This is to be one color and must blend with the uniform worn over it.

Coach Ben has suggested that any new runners might consider purchasing a pair of spikes but it is optional and up to the individual.

For rules clarification on the wearing of jewelry, see the post titled: Jewelry in Competition

2010 Fund Raising

One of the things I love most about the track & field team is that everyone is welcome, accepted and there are no financial commitments required to be on the team. Anyone who has a desire and is willing to do the work is encouraged to join the team. We are different in that aspect and it is a GOOD difference.

However, funding the team is still necessary and, do I need to say it, the FUSD isn't in a position to help out much.

We have quite a few financial needs (and wants) this year. The #1 item is always entry fees for the invitational meets we traditionally compete in. After that, we have committed to purchasing our own throwers cage. This will allow our throwers to complete their MVAL competitions in one day like the rest of the team (they have had to throw discus at a borrowed facility on one day then throw shot at TAK during the actual meet). We are also looking to purchase our own starting blocks as well as buying new team uniforms.

It all adds up to a lot of money so fund raising is going to start now! The following has been approved and is in the works as we speak. Please MARK YOUR CALENDAR'S and do what you can to help with the fund raising efforts.

Husky Challenge Postcards - (Starts very soon) Everyone should know how this works but I will give you a quick run-down in case you are new or have forgotten. Each member of the team will be given 5 postcards asking for cash donations. Fill them out with the name and address of friends, neighbors and/or relatives then return to Coach Ben. We will place postage on the cards and mail them. It is simple and there is no pressure. We encourage EVERYONE to provide just 5 names because if only 2 people of the 5 postcards mailed sends in $10 checks, it is well worth it to the team. (just ask for more cards if you need them)

Eat at Rubios (Fresh Mexican Grill) - (Monday, March 1st) Everyone will be given flyers to pass out. They should go to friends, teachers, neighbors, grocery store clerks, people at work, basically - - anyone & everyone. This flyer encourages people to eat at Rubio's (located at Pacific Commons, near Lowes) between 5pm - 9pm. The team will get 20% of all the money spent at Rubio's. The flyer MUST BE PRESENTED at the time of purchase.

Used book collection/recycle - (March 1st - April 30th) This will be an ongoing collection for 2 months. We will place collection bins near the office and student center as well as at all MVAL meets held at TAK. All books will be sold to an online collection source or to half price books on a rotating basis.

Eat at Sweet Tomatoes - (Thursday, April 8th) same info as "Rubio's" and again, the flyer MUST BE PRESENTED at the time of purchase.

Spaghetti Feed & Raffle - (Friday, April 30th) Team members will be asked to sell meal tickets. We will serve the standard, spaghetti w/sauce, bread, salad & drinks. Desert will be sold separately. Raffle tickets will be sold for prizes collected. (we are already looking for raffle prizes so any help with this is appreciated)

MORE INFO WILL BE COMING . . . keep checking the Blog for updates and/or e-mail's from me (joyce taylor)