Track Camp Teaches Basics to Youth Runners

The Long Valley Youth Track Program began a two-day speed and conditioning camp on Wednesday, July 20, at West Morris Central, which was sponsored by Mt. Arlington-based MAC Fitness.

The camp was an opportunity for the young runners to practice proper techniques in several different track and field events before they begin cross country competition against other area teams in September.

Kevin Daly, the Junior Wolfpack’s team manager, has been coordinating with MAC Fitness head trainer and West Morris Central High School track and field coach Jeff Copen to make the camp a reality, in the hopes that it will eventually boost the high school’s track program back into prominence.

“The (high school track) program in the '70s and '80s was a very dynamic program,” said Daly. “It was very, very big, with a couple hundred kids. We’ve kind of dwindled down over the years, and we want to get it back there.”

Copen, who graduated from West Morris Central, has already had success in starting to rebuild the school’s track program, and emphasized that teaching runners proper form when they are young will pay dividends down the road in terms of skill development.

“This program here is designed to give them the mechanics of proper sprinting; not just running, but how to come out of the blocks, and there are phases to it. It teaches them all the phases (of the sport), and it teaches them how to run, how to run a turn, and how to lean a corner, and all the other events that are in track,” said Copen. “We touch on long jump, we touch on triple jump, we do a little bit of shotput.”

This is in contrast to life before the MAC Fitness track camp, where freshmen would come into the high school track program without having had the chance to polish their skills through event.

“Hopefully, by the time they get up to the high school level and we’re coaching them, they have the groundwork to build upon. When we get them up and they’re younger, and they haven’t been through any of the schooling, by the time we get them as freshmen, they’re starting from scratch,” said Copen. “It’s so they have a good basis of how to run, the proper mechanics, and staying on the balls of their feet. They can drill and get these mechanics proper, so by the time we get them, we can just hone their skill in a little bit.”

Even if the kids don’t stay with track all the way through high school, Copen believes the skills they can take forward from camps like this will assist them in any sport they play.

“Every sport relies on speed, agility, and quickness,” said Copen. “It’s key, so even if they don’t stay with track, they’ll be able to use these skills with whatever sport that they go into.”

The camp, in its early stages, was proving to be popular with both runners and parents alike.

“It gives me a chance to run which I really like, and I learn better form,” said eighth grader Erin Hughes, a runner on the Long Valley youth track team.

“I guess what we like most about it is his development ability,” said Kevin Nelson, a parent. “(My son) came in, he’s new to track, and just learning the basic fundamentals and really how he can excel and grow in this, and most importantly really enjoy being part of the track program.”

Not only does Copen hope that the program will help the physical development of the Junior Wolfpack, but he hopes that they can take away the knowledge and personal bonds that come with participating in youth sports.

“I’m trying to show these guys that there’s a lot to sports other than just your natural ability. There’s a lot to be learned by dedication, effort, and training,” said Copen. “They get camaraderie. Hopefully, if they stay with it, they’re gonna be around these kids all the way through high school.”

For more information on the Long Valley Track program, visit the organization’s website at longvalleytrack.org. For information on MAC Fitness, visit the company’s website at http://mac-fit.com.