Chris Rines is readying for Houlton High School’s track and field program to begin Monday, March 30, with an informational meeting in the high school cafeteria after school.
“We are extremely grateful for the support our school board and administration have shown us,” said Rines. “Track and field has a very rich history here in Houlton, a history that appears to have been lost. I look forward to leading this new generation to that former glory and am excited at the tasks the student athletes and I will face when our season begins.”
A year ago, Elyjah Crockett competed in track and field through the Maine Principals’ Association cooperative individual agreement. The agreement allows a student interested in certain sports not offered by their school to “cooperate” with another school. Greater Houlton Christian Academy had one student (Rylee Warman) in their program and Crockett was able to join her under the agreement.
This year, the RSU 29 school board gave the official go-ahead for track and field to be offered as a club sport to any student in grades 9-12 at Houlton High School.
“I anticipate a majority of the kids who ran cross country for Houlton in the fall will come out for track this spring,” said Rines. “In addition to those student-athletes, there has been a very positive response from a lot of students who are already playing other sports in the fall and winter, but typically, take the spring season off.”
Rines believes the track and field club may see as many as 20-25 student-athletes coming out. One of those cross-country runners with experience in track and field is Isaiah Brown.
“I enjoy running and track and field was a lot of fun last year,” said Brown, who competed in Michigan. “I tried many of the events last year. My favorites were the 1,600 meter and 800 meter, which is what I want to compete in this spring.”
“Track and field offers a wide variety of events for students to participate in during a meet” said Rines.
The track events include the 100 meter, 110 meter hurdles, 200 meter, 300 meter hurdles, 400 meter, 800 meter, 1,600 meter, 1,600 meter race walking, 3,200 meter and relay teams of four events of 4×100 meter, 4×400 and the 4×800.
Field events include throwing disciplines in the javelin, shot put, and discus, with jumping categories of high jump, long jump, triple jump and pole vault.
The last time Houlton High School competed in track and field was during the late 1970s. “Historically, to look at the sports offered at Houlton High School, it has been a very rich tradition of predominately team sports,” Rines explained. “With the addition of track, and even cross country in the fall, we have a lot more flexibility with how kids can train and participate in athletics.”
Though playing dual sports has not been discussed by RSU 29 administration or staff, there are County programs that have allowed it and it has proven successful. One notable example is Washburn High School with its girls’ cross-country and soccer teams.
Cost to participate in the program will be “minimal,” Rines added. “At this time, uniforms and meals appear to be the biggest expenses we are facing. The students will have to provide their own uniform.”
