The Akron-Westfield track teams made history on Thursday night hosting the first-ever Akron-Westfield Relays on their new track surface.
Akron-Westfield boys track head coach Kent Johnson has been coaching track for nearly four decades, and he has always wanted to host a track meet. He says last night was the culmination of that moment, and it was nice to not have to go home on a bus.
Once the track was completed, the work only just began on getting the school prepared to host a track meet. Coach Johnson credits a lot of the work to athletic director Rachel Harris who coordinated the staff necessary to put on a great event.
The track has been a huge boost to the Westerners from a practice standpoint as well. The previous track surface was made of cinder which was not very conducive to preparing a team for the modern surface. Coach Johnson says practice has been a lot easier with the new surface.
It was evident that the new track and first-ever meet gave the Westerner runners a pep in their step with some strong times throughout the lineup. Coach Johnson hopes that excitement continues for the teams and that having a track meet will generate some interest in the track program.
The Westerners will compete next on Monday, May 4 in Hartley at the War Eagle Conference meet.
