Fresno State Athletics
Bulldog Track & Field Works with Local Elementary School
4/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
By: Ashley Hatcher
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State track and field team and coaching staff volunteered its time to work with the Pine Ridge Elementary School track team on Wednesday at Fresno State's Warmerdam Field in an effort to help give back.
"This is a great opportunity because it teaches the student athletes how to give back to the community," said assistant coach Chris Baptista. "Having the student athletes give their time to teach young and upcoming athletes the physical and the mental skills that are necessary to make them successful, will help the kids throughout their upcoming years."
The students and coaches of the Pine Ridge track team traveled from Auberry, Calif. which is approximately 45 minutes away, to Fresno State for a two-hour track and field clinic. The clinic consists of learning and strengthening the skills of jumping, throwing, hurdling and sprinting from the Fresno State track athletes and coaches.
The relationship between the Fresno State track team and Pine Ridge Elementary school began last year during the outdoor season. The Bulldog track and field team would drive up to Auberry to train at the elementary school that is situated in the foothills with an elevation over 2,000 feet. Since then, Pine Ridge Principal Tim McConnico and its head track coach, Lee Kessler, have been instrumental in growing the relationship between the two programs.
During the two-hour clinic, the Bulldogs taught the Pine Ridge track team how to throw a shot put, discus and javelin. They also helped strengthen their skills in sprints by teaching proper block techniques and running form along with how to bound in long jump and how to approach a jump in high jump.
"It was a fun opportunity to work with the kids and to see the enjoyment they had learning everything," said senior Josh Garza from the Fresno State men's track and field team. "It really reminded us that track is not only a competitive sport, but also something that you can have fun doing."
The Fresno State track team and coaching staff will continue to work with the Pine Ridge track team in hopes to inspire the kids to continue their determination in track and field throughout their years.
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