University of Tennessee Athletics
TRACK VOLS HOST SOUTH DOYLE MIDDLE SCHOOL FITNESS AWARD WINNERS
April 03, 2006 | Men's Track
April 3, 2006
The Tennessee men's track and field team hosted select students from South Doyle Middle School at Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium Monday afternoon. The students had to pass the school's fitness test in order to make the trip.
"Every year we go over to the middle school and they come here," head coach Bill Webb said. "Today we put on a track clinic with our athletes to reward the fitness winners. The athletes met the kids, coached them and also talked to them about what it takes to be a collegiate student-athlete. We do this every year about this time. Everyone looks forward to this event. We enjoy seeing the smiles on all the kids' faces.
South Doyle brought 67 students from sixth through eighth grade who were tutored in six categories by Tennessee's athletes. The Vols covered sprint starts, long jump, high jump, hurdles, throws and stretching.
Co-captains Chris Helwick and Jim Sexton were among 14 Vols who assisted on the track. NCAA indoor champion Aries Merritt, alongside Damond Campbell and Jangy Addy, taught the students how to hurdle. Freshmen Nick Panezich and Richard Wooten joined Sexton in teaching shot put, discus throw and hammer throw technique. Freshman Brad Holtz used his knowledge to help Helwick demonstrate the high jump. Senior Matthew Lapp and sophomore Yarrick Kincaid showed the students the proper way to stretch and warm up before running.
Sprinter Matthieu Pritchett and decathlete Alex Dobranowski demonstrated how to start a sprint from the blocks. Senior Eric Pierce, along with sophomore Carjay Lyles, taught technique in the long jump. Webb, distance coach George Watts and sprint coach Norbert Elliott were also on hand to provide knowledge in different event areas.
"I thought this was important," Helwick said. "When I was little and interested in track this kind of thing wasn't an option. There's not much opportunity for the kids who are seriously interested in learning about real track and meeting real athletes. If I was a kid, it would mean a lot to me, so that's why I come down here to help out.
Tennessee's track team has been partnered with South Doyle Middle School through the Partners in Education program for more than a decade. The standards for the school's fitness test are set by the Physical Best Health Related Program.
"This has been a wonderful pairing," South Doyle physical education instructor and Partners in Education representative Darlis "Momma" Howard said. "We have been very happy with it. It's been so beneficial for our students. The interaction with the athletes and our students is just wonderful. Our kids get so excited about it. For some of these kids today was their third trip, and they always ask at the beginning of the year if we are going back to the University of Tennessee. We are happy that Mother Nature cooperated with us so we could come out here today. The athletes are great, and the kids just love it. We truly appreciate what the athletes and coaches do for us each year.
South Doyle's students started off the day at a bowling alley. After bowling through the morning, they loaded the bus and drove into campus to tour the university's TREC facility, the student recreation complex. Then, the group made its way over to the track to eat lunch, listen to a speech from Webb and meet the Tennessee athletes and coaches.
Monday was not all about athletic achievements, however. Tennessee's athletes took some time to visit with the children and talked to them about more than just on-track issues. While there were technique discussions for each event, the athletes also shared information about student life at the university.
"I've been doing this for a few years," Lapp said. "It's nice for the kids to get to come out here, but it's also nice for us. We get to encourage them to stay fit and keep exercising.
Tennessee returns to competitive action at the Sea Ray Relays April 12-15.
