For the Tomahawk Leader
TOMAHAWK – Over the course of the last few weeks, kids in kindergarten through 5th grade classes from both Tomahawk Elementary and St. Mary’s Schools participated in the Little Hatchet Run Club.
A few days of running-based activities would condition these young athletes to prepare them to tackle the 2nd annual Little Hatchet Fun Run as a part of Homecoming week on the school grounds and the Allan Bell Nature Trail.
“I am really excited to bring back this activity and further excited to incorporate it during homecoming week,” said coach Justin Lund. “As a coach, it’s great to see our leaders from both the high school and middle school cross country programs work with these youngsters, as some of these kids could make up future generations of Hatchet runners, some even having siblings currently in the program. It’s great from an “awareness of the sport” point-of-view, as some head into 6th grade next year and the sport of cross country will be available to all, but it also should be noted that the sport of running is something you can do for a lifetime with the proper training, and the sport itself can be used as training for other sports, and that’s something I feel very strongly about.”
After some inspiring words from members of the Tomahawk Historical Society and friends of the Allan Bell Nature Trail, including Bill Sparr and Dean Bell, It would be Bell giving the start command, and the ½ mile race of K-2nd graders would be underway.
Crossing the line first in a time of 3:19 was Cooper Duncan, followed by Jackson McMahon in 3:37. Rounding out the top three overall, the kindergarten champion, Harrison Duncan with a time of 3:46.
The first young lady across the line at a time of 3:52 was Adeline Voermans, with Avery Copiskey as the runner-up 4:10 and kindergarten champ Harlow Cordova finishing in 3rd place in 4:33. Jace Erickson was the boys’ 2nd grade winner (4:28).
The one-mile showdown would see some exciting action at the front of the pack, where Jack Reilly would cover the course in a blistering time of 6:44. The next two finishers would come from the 4th grade: Lexi Palmer crossed the finish in a time of 7:22, while Hallie Pierce would come in strong for a well- earned 3rd-place overall in a time of 7:52. Max Micke and Elaine Huber would each take home medalist honors with times of 8:20 and 9:03, respectively.
After their hard-earned efforts, water and snacks were provided thanks to Trigs and the Tomahawk Historical Society.
Lund gave a special thanks to Bill Sparr, Tomahawk Historical Society, Dean Bell, School District of Tomahawk, Tomahawk Middle and High School cross country teams and coaches Dani Whiting and John Zuelsdorf, and Bridgette Reilly for all photo credits.
“Plans are underway for next year and certainly hoping to grow,” Lund stated. “I love the idea of conducting a camp, or even a track club at some point down the road as things continue to grow, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Tomahawk cross country is an historic program and a lot of that is due to the culture. My goal is to continue this trend and help anyway I can.”