By CORINNE MESSER
The Progress
It was a busy day at the Moapa Valley High School track on Thursday, Nov. 9. It was the annual 2023 Speed Meet involving young runners from across the Moapa and Virgin Valleys.
Several busloads of children from four surrounding elementary schools, Grant M. Bowler, Ute V. Perkins, JL Bowler, and Virgin Valley Elementary came to the event.
The kids had all been practicing for weeks preparing for this day. They held trial races in their PE classes at school. Those with the fastest times qualified to attend last week’s meet. Each runner represented their school by donning their school T-shirts.
A total of 375 children participated in the event, with about 75 adult volunteers from all four schools helping things run smoothly.
The event was meticulously organized to keep the children engaged constantly for four hours. The competitors were divided into various stations on the football field directed by Erin Leavitt from Ute Perkins Elementary and assisted by parents and staff from Grant Bowler Elementary. The rotations included a warm-up, a team hula-hoop game, noodle tag, a race station, and a lunch station.
Organized by Grant Bowler PE instructor, Paula Dehner, the Speed Meet began at 10 am with CCSD Police Officer Jimmy handling the starting pistol.
The long-distance races were first. The fastest runners from 3rd grade ran 2 laps around the track, followed by 3 laps raced by the 4th and 5th graders. It was impressive to see the children’s dedication to the sport, as they ran easily around the track being well-prepared for this day.
The 50-yard dash came next. Ellie, a first grader from VVES said, “I was so excited to run today that I woke up at 6 am! I want to come back next year!”
Dehner said one of her favorite things this year was the addition of the “special needs” races. There were three heats based on the student’s similar abilities.
Xander ran in this race with the help of his peer partner. His parents proudly cheered him on. “He loves to run,” said his mom, Heather. “In fact, he has already made it into the 100-Mile Club at Grant Bowler.”
The 100 Mile Club encourages students to run a total of 100 miles by running before school, after school, and during PE.
The relay races followed. Grant Bowler student, Mason, commented, “The relay races were my favorite, and although I didn’t win first, the speed meet was lots of fun.”
MVHS track coaches Shane Hickman and Jackson Mortensen were helping at the finish line with the timing.
“These races introduce the elementary kids to track at an early age,” Mortensen said. “Normally, kids have no clue what track is when they enter middle school. But these kids are well aware of it.”
Dehner explained that her predecessor, Denise Hoy, had started the Speed Meet more than a decade ago. “When she left PE to work in the GATE program, I loved the Speed Meet so much, I decided to keep it going,” said Dehner.
Although Hoy has a new job, she remains a driving force behind the races and continues to keep all the behind-the-scenes running smoothly.
Samantha, another runner from Grant Bowler Elementary, said she’s been looking forward to this Speed Meet for 2 years now.
“We couldn’t have the races 2 years ago because of COVID, and last year I couldn’t attend because I was sick,” she said. “So I was really ready for it this year and I got second place! It was amazing!”
Dehner expressed the joy she finds in managing the Speed Meet. “I love to see the determination on the kids’ faces when they try out,” she said. “They give their all and work hard to earn their spot on the teams.”
Dehner was also grateful for all the adults who volunteer to make the Speed Meet a success. “We all have different talents which are fabulous,” she said. ‘But when combined, amazing things happen, like this Speed Meet.”
Dehner said she can’t wait to do this all again next year.
