Hendricken prepares for free Summer Track Series for kids

By ADAM ZANGARI

This summer, local fifth through eighth grade students will have the opportunity to learn more about the world’s oldest sport by trying out some of its disciplines for themselves.

The Summer Track Series takes place on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. throughout July at Bishop Hendricken High School and is free and open to boys and girls of that age group who want to try the sport. To participate, children simply have to show up at the Hendricken track.

Tom Harkins, the high jump coach for Hendricken’s track and field team, had been planning a summer program for several years, but it hadn’t worked out until this year. The event is free and open to everyone, he said, so anyone interested in track and field can get the experience.

“It’s just our passion,” Harkins said. “We want the kids to be involved in these things, and I think if we do it on Monday night, the kids can come home from work, their parents can make dinner and then come to Hendricken.”

Although this series is free to attend, all participants are strongly encouraged to bring canned goods to be donated to the Rhode Island Food Bank.

Harkins said that both opening the clinic to everyone and raising funds was an important part of the clinic and was in line with Hendricken’s ethos.

“It’s just part of our school’s mission,” he said.

The first course, which took place on July 1, focused on teaching the children jumping skills, with a particular emphasis on high jump and long jump.

Harkins said the turnout was good, including 12 students, some of whom traveled from Pawtucket. What made the first day a success, Harkins said, was the fun the kids had, with some asking him if they could stay longer and do a few more jumps.

“It’s common at camps like this that one kid is doing something and ten kids are watching,” Harkins said. “And we were actually able to keep the kids engaged for an hour and a half almost nonstop.”

Harkins said he hopes the three future clinics will have more visitors, noting that last Monday’s storms likely deterred some people. Partly cloudy weather is forecast for next Monday, with highs of 30 degrees.

Harkins said other coaches and athletes will also show up to help with the events they specialize in, including John Manning, Hendricken’s sprint coach, Jim Doyle, Hendricken’s head cross country coach, and Harkins’ daughter Katrina, who was a hurdler at Stonehill College. Current Hendricken track and field athletes — as well as recent graduates — were also on hand to teach the kids skills.

“It’s better to have too many bosses than too few,” Harkins said.

Next Monday the focus of the course will be on teaching the children how to throw, especially shot put and discus.

The focus of the course on July 15th is on sprinting and hurdles, while the focus of the course on July 22nd is on middle and long distance running. There will be no course on July 29th.

Harkins said interested children do not have to register for all four events, but can only show up for the one they most want to learn.

“We would love for them to come to all four events, but they don’t have to,” Harkins said. “We don’t want to pressure anyone to do that.”

Harkins says track and field has long been overlooked in the city, calling it the “red-headed stepchild” of Warwick youth sports. He hopes this program can change that – and with the Olympics coming up, help develop a lifelong love of track and field.

“Athletics has something to offer every child,” Harkins said.