There are surprises; and then there are pleasant surprises.
When the South Park School Board approved a middle school track and field club in early March, expectations for the student response were conservative. There had been a community-based track and field club for middle school students prior to the pandemic, but over the past 4-5 years, no strong push for it to return or for the district to create a club program.
Soon after the Board decision, South Park Middle school principal Lynn Como sent an email to all 7th and 8th grade parents about the club returning to begin determining student interest and sign-ups to join.
“I thought there would be around 30-40 students; we had 30 students sign-up in the first hour after the email went out!” said Ryan Silvis, the team’s head coach and primary force behind the club’s return. “Everyone was very surprised and pleased with the interest level.”
There were approximately 80 SPMS 7th and 8th grade students who regularly attended the 4-5 weekly evening practices and meets. The club team held its first meet on April 14 at Eagle Stadium, with another home meet on April 24, followed by invitationals in Bellaire, Ohio and at Canon-McMillan.
The genesis of the club’s return began with Silvis and his wife, Robbi, last fall, but didn’t come to fruition until rapidly receiving the green light just weeks before the outdoor season began.
The Silvis family, which includes students Lily, Nora and Gemma, has lived in South Park for the past five years but this is the first year the three girls are attending South Park schools. Ryan had started a middle school track and field program earlier at Ave Maria Academy in Bethel Park and had a feeling a club would be popular with South Park middle school students. Lily and Nora are members of the high school and middle school track and field teams.
Last fall, Ryan contacted South Park Athletic Director Pat Colligan and SPHS track and field coach Jeff Hufnagel to ask why there wasn’t a middle school program and what steps would need to be taken in order to bring a proposal before the school board. Over the winter months, a proposal was created and in February, the high school team began practicing for the outdoor season and discussions ramped-up, leading to the proposal before the Board on March 6.
“After the email went out, the kids were talking about it in school and that sparked more interest,” Ryan said. “Middle school kids want to be part of a team; they want to hang out with their friends.”
“I was pretty excited when I heard there was going to be a middle school track club,” said Cameron Beaver, an 8th grade student. “I wanted to do track in high school. As soon as I heard about it, I knew I would sign up. I talked to my friends about joining; I’ve gotten a lot closer with my friends. I’m getting out of the house and exercising more.”
Cameron has been participating in the sprints. “I tried throwing; I tried the 400 and it wasn’t my thing,” she said.
Most of the club members hadn’t participated in track and field in the past. Ryan also noticed something that could be attributed to a new program.
“There’s a willingness to try new events,” he said, “so we held a ‘Try it Out Week,’ where they could try different events to see if they liked it. They never knew they would like throwing or jumping other events until they tried it.”
“I was excited when I heard about it starting,” stated Nolan Miller, an 8th grade student, who is a sprinter and throws the discus. “I started throwing the discus; I had never thrown a discus before. It’s great being around everyone and the coaches are positive.”
“I immediately joined,” said Damair McKissick, an 8th grade student. “When the season started I thought I’d be in the sprints and high jump, but now I’m doing the long jump (and sprints). I also tried the 400, shot and discus. I talked with my friends (about joining); there’s a lot more (club members) than I expected. The coaches help us have fun.”
When Ryan, a hurdler in high school, thought there might be 30-40 students in the club, the plan was for he and Robbi to split the squad and work with 15-20 students apiece at practice. When the wave of responses hit, Ryan called upon parent volunteers to assist. There are 15 parent volunteers who have their clearances and help the Silvis’ at practice and meets.
Silvis noted that Coach Hufnagel and the high school coaches have stopped by some practices and the first meet and helped introduce the students to the sport.
“Middle school students are looking for activities to participate in,” Ryan stated. “This gives them more opportunities to do something after school and be with their friends. The feedback (from students) is that they keep coming back.”
“Track can make you stronger,” commented Riley Marshall, an 8th grade student who does the 100, 4x400 relay, long jump and shot put. “Hanging out with my friends is making us closer. We’re outside more: not doing Facetime (and not on phones as much). It’s way better (than before the track club started).”
Considering the initial and sustained response by SPMS 7th and 8th grade students, there is one question Mr. Silvis thinks about for the future.
“How many 5th and 6th graders would want to come out?” he has wondered. That’s a potentially exciting question to consider with the end of the 2024-25 school year and Summer underway.