History is being made as the Pea Ridge Blackhawks host track meets this week in the new Blackhawk Stadium.
It is the first time Pea Ridge has hosted track meets.
"We had less facilities then than now," Jerry Nichols, a 1957 PRHS graduate said, recalling that track athletes practiced in the field near the school and attended track meets in Fayetteville.
"The Blackhawk Foundation has been involved in helping fund some things in track. They are responsible for running the concession stand," Tony Travis, athletic director, said. "The exciting part, is it is an exciting time to be doing something for the first time ever. We want to put on a first-class event."
"In the future, looking toward next year, we hope to have a pole vault. We don't have it yet. We'll probably add it next year," Travis said, explaining that could cost from $12,000 to $15,000.
Field events -- shot put, discuss throws, long jump, triple jump and high jump -- will begin at 3:30 p.m., Travis said.
Running events will follow the field events. They include 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter, 800 meter, 1,600 meter and 3,200 meter runs. He said junior high athletes do not run the 3,200 meter. There are also relays -- the 400 meter and the mile -- and hurdles.
The Blackhawk Foundation purchased 84 hurdles for a cost of $8,400. Also purchased was a high jump kit with a landing area, standards, cross bar and weather cover for about $5,300.
Travis said the athletic program purchased the discuss cage, the protective netting around the discuss throwing area.
"It's been a successful year for us," Travis said of the newly-created Blackhawk Foundation. "We've been able to grow over the year and get more people involved."
Travis said various athletic teams are assigned to cover concession stand work and many people have helped to make it successful. He said the president is Joel Easterling, he is the vice president (the athletic director position will always be vice president), Jenny Wood is secretary and Cheryl Tillman is treasurer. Mindy Cawthon and Ott Bell handle concessions; Jennifer Allison takes care of merchandise.
The sports budget for the school includes paying for officials. Travis said this first year there were extraordinary expenses to get the track set up.
"The track equipment should last a long time if we take good care of it," he said. "We're getting one time expenses out of the way."
A junior high track meet was held Tuesday afternoon. Varsity track will be held Friday. Travis said he anticipates eight to 10 teams in attendance.
Admission to the track events is $4 for adults and $3 for students.
General News on 03/12/2014