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Counselors and Club kids compete in the Boys’ and Girls’ club annual Track Day

  • Emma Auvil, left to right, Olivia Aman and Clare Petrov play patty cake during the Boys' and Girls' Club Track and Field Day on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Beeson Youth Center. HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The Boys’ and Girls’ Club Track and Field events Wednesday, July 11, encouraged fun and competition.

The main event was the counselor relays, and the competition got everyone on their feet. The anticipation was high and fans could feel it in the air. This was the most competitive event of the day, and it did not disappoint.

Counselor relays started with four teams, three of Club counselors and one of sailing instructors. Relays started out with a false start by one of the Club counselors.

The sailing instructors’ first leg was Will Borup, and he wasn’t fazed by the false start and was second to hand off his baton.

But once John Kelly got the baton, he erupted; he took over first place and didn’t look back. Then Billy Benson did the third leg, extended the lead and passed it to the closer, Thomas Kelly.

Thomas Kelly received the baton and left no chance of a comeback, blowing out the competition by three seconds or more.

“It wasn’t close this year at all,” Thomas Kelly said. “This year we had new talent, Borup and Benson, who no one expected.”

The sailing instructors already have plans for next year’s relay.

“All the guys here, they should be returning, and it looks like another win for us next year.” Thomas Kelly said.

Club counselors are prepared for the upcoming light-hearted trash talk from the sailing counselors until they compete against each other again next season.

“I think they deserve it. They were really quick.” said Lydia Wells, a 6G counselor at Club.

Jack Rosenberg, Club counselor for 4B, said he was “ready for the trash talk.” Rosenberg’s team came in third, an improvement from their last-place finish last year.

It wasn’t all about the counselors. The Clubbers also were competitive and had tons of fun.

Tate Ritacco, 5B, won the baseball throw and the 50-yard dash and wasn’t surprised at all by it.

“I expected to win two events. I don’t play baseball, but I throw with my brother,” Tate said. “I think I get it from my dad; he’s really good at baseball.”

Also on the Clubber side was Ellie Rappole, a SAC girl who already has a Club record in the 220-yard dash. This year, she was out to break it.

“I came close to beating my record today. My record is 29.98 seconds and I got 30.3 seconds today,” Ellie said.

Ellie didn’t even prepare for the races today and ended up winning the 220-yard dash and 4×4 relays.

“I’m very competitive and I like the competition,” she said. “I really like winning and don’t like losing. Also I play a lot of soccer.”

On the topic of soccer, Tate suggested there should be a new event.

“I would like to see a soccer kick, who could kick it the furthest,” he said.

The goal of the day was fun, and that was definitely accomplished during Wednesday’s events.

“It’s a great chance to show a bunch of encouragement to your boys. You’re spreading positivity as they do their events. Cheering them on and encouraging them to do their best, but showing them that the important thing is that they have a great time.”

-Jack Rosenberg, Counselor, Boys’ and Girls’ Club

Tags : Annual Track DayBoys’ and Girls’ ClubChautauqua Boys’ and Girls’ ClubTrack and Field Day
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The author Donovan Conaway

Donovan Conaway is from Maryland and is a rising senior at the illustrious Morgan State University, where he studies multimedia journalism. He will be reporting on recreation/Boys’ and Girls’ Club for the Daily. His goal for the summer is to learn how to swim. Donovan is a huge sports fan and idolizes Carmelo Anthony. For any sports talk, email him at Docon4@morgan.edu.