Annual All School Track Meet
On Friday, May 19, Roosevelt School, Peabody Charter, Montecito Union, Roosevelt, Adams, Cleveland, Washington, Harding, Monroe, Franklin, McKinley and Cold Spring School participated in the tenth annual All Santa Barbara and Montecito Schools Track and Field Meet at Westmont College.
Students in grades fourth through sixth competed in 11 different events that included everything from the high jump to the800-meter run. Medals were given to first, second, and third place finishers in each event. The meet champion was Peabody, followed by Montecito Union, Roosevelt, Harding, and a tie for fifth between Cold Spring and Adams.
Westmont College Track and Field Coach, Russell Smelley, and Cold Spring School District Superintendent, Dr. Amy Alzina, started the meet ten years ago when Dr. Alzina was an administrator in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. It was created as an effort to expose students to the sport of Track and Field and a college environment, while creating an opportunity for students from neighborhood schools to connect before they move onto Jr. High School.
“I’m deeply grateful to all the schools that participated in the Track and Field Meet. Coach Russell and I created this meet to give every child an opportunity to experience a new sport and a college experience. This meet is truly about closing the opportunity gap! The meet would not be possible without the partnership from Westmont College, Coach Russell, and his student athletes that volunteered as timers and field event recorders. The students enjoyed the friendly competition, but I think they enjoyed eating lunch in the Westmont Dining Commons just as much! At the end of the day, everyone left with lots of smiles!” said Dr. Alzina.
