The Santa Ynez Youth Track Club is inviting students in kindergarten through eighth grade to join the team for its 2018 season.
Founded by Cary Losson and Chris Chirgwin in 2014, SYYTC expects about 200 students to participate this year.
“Chris and I are excited on many levels, but mostly that we created the infrastructure to become the largest youth track club in Central California,” Losson said.
Chirgwin has a background in both discus and high jump, and Losson was a distance runner. The club also has close to 20 other former collegiate athletes and coaches who can provide expert teaching.
Competition is part of the Santa Ynez Youth Track Club, but fostering a healthy outlook on exercise and supporting teammates is the goal, Losson said.
“We foster an environment of positive instruction and encouragement, helping each athlete achieve their personal best,” Chirgwin added.
The coaches work together to teach kids the proper form and technique for running, jumping, sprinting and throwing. Most kids in the club are multi-sport athletes who come to work on a specific skill, such as sprinting or jumping.
Losson and Chirgwin both emphasized that the club’s growth and success can be directly attributed to volunteer coaches and strong community support.
Online registration is open at www.sytrack.org. A uniform hand-out and “meet the coaches” event will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, at Sunny Fields Park in Solvang.
Participation costs $125 for kids in kindergarten through second grade and $150 for kids in third through eighth grades for the season, from March through May. That covers the cost of a jersey, shorts and travel to multiple track meets. Practices are held each Friday at Santa Ynez High School.
You can follow the club on Facebook by searching for Santa Ynez Youth Track or visit their website at www.sytrack.org.
