Riverbank Unified School District hosted a fifth grade track meet shortly before the end of the school year, giving students the chance to take part in multiple events.
“I felt that the fifth grade track meet was a great success. We had over 200 students compete, and judging by all the smiles, running around, and cheers, they had a great time,” noted Riverbank High School track and field coach Monte Wood. “I hope that it sparks some interest in the sport of track and field. Track and field is one of the few sports where everyone gets to compete. In others sports, a kid can practice every day and play very little; however, everyone gets to compete in track and field.”
The track meet consisted of the 100, 400, long jump, shot put, and a 4x100 relay for boys and girls. The champion in each event won a trophy and the second through sixth place finishers received medals.
“We also gave out ribbons for first through third in each heat of each race and ribbons for first through third in each field event for each class,” noted Wood.
The following students were the champions in each event, with names spelled as provided by meet officials:
Boys
400 Elijah Reynveld from Ms. Aguilar’s class at Riverbank Language Academy
100 Diego Felix from Ms. Flores’s class at California Avenue
Shot Put Jeremiah Mangiapane from Ms. Fernandez’s class at Mesa Verde
Long Jump Alonzo Arrumbula from Ms. Forest’s class at California Avenue
4x100 relay was won by Ms. Aguilar’s class
Girls
400 Olivia Fernandez from Ms. Fernandez’s class at Mesa Verde
100 Olivia Fernandez from Ms. Fernandez’s class at Mesa Verde
Shot Put Lucero Jimenez from Ms. Aguilar’s class at Riverbank Language Academy
Long Jump Isabel McFarland from Ms. Luna’s class at Mesa Verde
4x100 relay was won by Ms. Fernandez’s class at Mesa Verde
“Olivia Fernandez won three trophies as she won the girls’ 100, 400, and was a part of the winning relay team, Elijah Reynveld won two trophies by winning the 400 and his class won the 4x100 relay,” Wood noted of the top two boy and girl athletes at the meet. “We also awarded a class champion. Ms. Aguilar’s class from RLA scored 81 points and edged out Ms. Fernandez’s class from Mesa Verde who scored 71 points.”
Members of the first place class received ice cream sandwiches for winning the class competition.
“The kids were very spirited and did a great job of cheering each other on. I was excited to see that. We hope to host this meet again next year, and we appreciate the efforts of everyone who helped make it a success,” said Wood. “The site principals, teachers, RHS athletes, Dr. Camp, Rudy Serrato, the bus drivers, DeLayne Coker, Dannette Grant all deserve to be recognized for making this happen. It was a great a team effort.”
