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A 25-year-old program linking young athletes with their future high school is expanding this spring as Hybla Valley Elementary School students prepare to compete for the first time.
Through Running is Elementary, members of West Potomac High School’s track and field team spend weeks coaching children from elementary schools in the West Potomac pyramid. The students practice events ranging from the 100-meter dash to the 1,800-meter run, along with hurdles, long jump and softball throwing.
This year’s participants come from Waynewood, Belle View, Bucknell, Fort Hunt, Hollin Meadows, Hybla Valley and Stratford Landing elementary schools. After two months of training, the season concludes with two evening meets in May featuring friendly competition and school spirit.
West Potomac senior Mason Wilhite, who competes in the 100 meters, 200 meters and long jump, is volunteering with the program for a fourth year. Paired with Hybla Valley this season, he said the most rewarding part of coaching is watching students smile as they improve.
“I like coaching a lot, it’s been a great experience for me,” Wilhite said.
At a recent Wednesday practice, colorful cones marked running stations across Hybla Valley’s field. Some students ran laps around the Alexandria school while others practiced throwing a softball.
Principal Kathleen Sain said the Title I school was able to participate because staff members volunteered to manage practices and secured sponsorships to help pay for meet transportation, spiritwear and other costs.
“We are really excited to be a part of this,” Sain said. “When we told the students about this opportunity, we received an overwhelmingly positive response.”
Sain, a runner herself, said the program can introduce children to healthy habits while helping them connect with West Potomac and its athletic opportunities. With track and field now available at the middle school level in Fairfax County Public Schools, she said the program can also create a bridge between elementary, middle and high school sports.
Retired West Potomac teacher and athletics coach Don Beeby launched Running is Elementary in 2000. Now a local real estate agent, Beeby has watched the annual community event grow to include more than 1,000 competitors.
“It goes to show that parents want their kids to be active and outdoors. It’s fabulous to see,” Beeby said.
He hopes working with teenage athletes will encourage younger students to continue with track and field when they reach high school, building a pipeline for the sport.
Hybla Valley fourth grader Azaria Samson plans to race in the 100-meter dash. Already active in soccer, football and basketball, he joined the program to test his speed.
“I wanted to take part in this to see how far I could push myself, to see if I could get faster and faster,” Samson said.
The program also supports a Fairfax County Public Schools strategic goal of increasing student involvement in extracurricular, co-curricular and leadership activities.