A new Track Club for students in grades 6-12 is launching this week, with 45 students expected to gather for the first after-school practice on Wednesday, March 30. Athletic Director Pam Hitchner, who is heading up the club, said ACS athletes will be competing in at least four track meets that are scheduled for this spring, including the Mid-Atlantic Christian School Association track meet on April 26 and 27 at Messiah University in Pennsylvania.
“Our goal is to introduce another sport at ACS and give our students who have gifts and talents in different areas a chance to develop and grow those abilities,” Hitchner said. PE teacher Josh Clark and faculty member Drew Carney, who has experience as a distance runner, will be assisting Hitchner in training the athletes in the club. ACS parent Harold Scott is also donating a javelin and will be training students for competition.
Hitchner said a new long jump runway and sand pit were installed on the campus this week, relocated to an area parallel to the ACS track, thanks to material and services donated by Ralph Clayton and assistance from ACS staff. The track club members will also be competing with new ACS track shirts, made possible in part by gifts from several donors.
ACS will host a dual track meet on May 17 against King’s Christian School and plans are in discussion for ACS athletes to compete in meets with schools in the Atlantic Cape Junior High League. ACS will also be hosting the annual Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference track meet on May 12 and throwing a javelin will be added to the meet.
There is a $50 athletic fee for participation in the Track Club and practices will be weekly on Wednesdays. Hitchner said students who play on an ACS baseball or softball team can also participate in the Track Club and will not have to choose one or the other.