Board Votes No On Girls Track Team

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  May 17, 2017.   Last month the Rich Middle School student body officers petitioned the school board for a girls track team. Board member Scott Tolentino said that while they did a nice presentation, he was not sure the district could afford it, and it would conflict with other sports. 

Board member Pete Cornia said, “Track is one sport that early exposure doesn’t help you much, it is not rocket science."

 

Principal Kip Motta said that it is easy for kids to get 100 signatures, but the time commitment may make students chose between being in the school play or other sports and track.  He didn’t feel it would compete against sports like basketball or football, which means they might not have enough students to actually field a team.

Monte Weston, board member, said, “There would be a backlash if we say we cannot afford it.”  Motta said that it was more than the cost it was time conflict. Board member Scott Sabey said it would also mean a lot more travelling.  Board member Bryce Huefner made the motion not to have middle school track.  The vote against a track team was unanimous.

Rodeo is another sport the students like, while it is not a high school sponsored sport, participants must still follow all high school rules to participate.  Lisa Johnson, coach, Rich Rodeo Club, said that three students will participate in the State High School Rodeo Competition May 31 to June 3 in Heber City.  They run two arenas during the competition.  A few years ago one participant from Rich High went to the National Rodeo.