SMAC Youth Track League 2013
For Youth entering Grades 2-9 as of September 2013
Sugarloaf Youth Track – Northampton
PLEASE NOTE: The Youth Track meet is cancelled for June 7th and rescheduled to Tuesday June 18 at 5:15 at Northampton High School.
For: Youth entering Grades 2-9 as of September 2013
Fee: $45/person, $75 families of two, $90 families of three or more, ($5 late fee after 5/10)
Dates: First night for Team Assignments & Orientation - Tuesday, May 28 at 5:30 p.m.
Arrive on the first night to group teams, meet coaches and run an informal series of practice races.
Meet Schedule: June 4, 7, 14, 21, 28 (28th is awards night)
Time: Meets run from 5:15-8:15 p.m.
Make-up days: June 11, 18, 25
Location: Meets are held at Northampton High School, 380 Elm St., Northampton.
Parking is next to the school or behind the stadium with entrances off of Milton Street.
The Food Booth will be open Friday nights only at the stadium and staffed by the NHS Track team.
• Buy food & drinks at the meet or bring a picnic dinner.
Please note: No team request will be honored this season. Participants will be randomly assigned to teams to better assure team parity. We will attempt to honor requests of up to 2 friends and or family members to be on the same team. Since all teams are present at each event, family members can easily be on different teams.
• There will be six teams. Boys and girls of all abilities will be placed on a team and can compete in both relay and individual events. Non-team member children 2-14 yrs. can enter an open 100m dash each night.
• All kids from all towns are welcome. Team T-shirts and water for all participants.
• Medals and sport gifts are given at the end of the series.
For weather cancellations, call 587-1044 or check the Northampton Recreation Department’s website, under cancellations, www.northamptonma.gov/recreation
• Mail or drop off registration (download registration flyer here) to Northampton Recreation Dept., 90 Locust St., Northampton, MA 01060
Sugarloaf Youth Track – Amherst
Boys and girls of all abilities ages 6-14 will be placed on a team and can compete in both relay and individual races. Parents, brothers, sisters and friends are invited to bring a picnic dinner and cheer on their favorite team. Non-team member children 2-14 years will be able to enter an open 100-meter dash each night.
Team Night: Wednesday, May 29th
Meets: Fridays 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28 Makeup dates: June 19 & 26
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Amherst Regional High School Track
Cost: $49
There will be a n organizational meeting to group teams, meet coaches, and run an informal series of practice races on May 29th.
Please note: We may reach the maximum number of participants before May 29 and will close entries when that number is reached.
For more information or to register, please visit www.lsse.org or call the LSSE front desk at 413.259.3065. Questions? Contact Mark Miville, Sports & Recreation
You may download the Amherst League Flyer Here
Director, at mivillem@amherstma.gov.
Youth Track Mission: To foster the development of youth through participation in track and field training to develop athletic strength, sportsmanship, and a passion for lifelong fitness.
In order to help us achieve this mission we the coaches ask for your support in helping your child meet the following expectations:
– Come to practice with a willingness to participate and put forth your best effort.
– Be sure that you have had a snack before practice.
– Bring water and stay well hydrated.
– Wear comfortable athletic clothing and proper footwear.
– Be kind and respectful of your teammates.
– Encourage everyone’s effort.
– Listen to your coaches.
– Wear your name badges.
– HAVE FUN !!!!!
Get to know your coaches:
Mackenzie Gray
Coach Mackenzie Gray started his coaching career volunteering at Holyoke High School as assistant coach for 5 seasons of XC, indoor and outdoor track. He now serves as a head coach for the Minnecheug Regional Girls’ XC, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Teams.
Coach Mackenzie is a 2007 graduate of Holyoke High School. During his years at Holyoke, he ran cross country, indoor, and outdoor track for the Purple Knights. Since then, he has competed in cross country at the D-III junior college level while earning a degree at Holyoke Community College in Health Fitness and Nutrition. In May of 2011 Coach received his Bachelor’s of Science degree from Springfield College.
Coach Mackenzie’s personal accomplishments include 7 marathons, including the last four Boston Marathons with a PR of 3:18.28 Captain of the 2010 Mass Dash Relay Champions “The Dirty Dozen”, and hundreds of other races from the 5K to the marathon distance. As a coach Mac has guided the 2010 Div I 400M Champion, 2011 WMASS 600M Champion, 2011 Outdoor 800M Champion, and numerous other Western MA, State, New England and National qualifiers.
Coach Mackenzie brings a wealth of information from his love of running, experience as a high school, collegiate, and national level track & field official, as well as his study of Exercise Science at Springfield College.
Allison Burnham (Belanger)
Allison Burnham (Belanger) has been involved in coaching the SMAC Youth Program for 6 years. She is an avid runner whose love for the sport began while attending Frontier Regional High school. During her senior year she led the Red Hawks to a Western MASS Championship at Northfield Mt. Allison continued her running career at Roger Williams University leading the team to four CCC Championships. Allison was twice awarded the RWU Female Athlete of the year for her athletic achievements and dedication to the team. She graduated with Bachelors degree in Communications and Sociology with a core concentration in Italian Studies.
Since graduating college Allison has maintained her commitment to the sport by running the 111th Boston Marathon with a PR of 3:18.47. Allison has competed and placed at numerous local road races. In addition to running Allison rode a wave of success participating in triathlons. Allison met Coach Laura while standing on the podium receiving place awards.
She has also participated in events including the Mass Dash and was a key leg in the 2011 runner up team, “The Dirty Dozen.” Allison currently is employed by a vascular surgery medical device company where she maintains herself as one of the top 5 Sales Representatives.
Laura Fusari (Raybould)
Coach Laura Fusari (Raybould) was a high school athlete and started her athletic career as a competitive soccer player, playing for elite teams including the New Jersey ODP and the NJ semi professional team. Laura was also an indoor and outdoor track and field runner where she competed competitively in events ranging from the 400 to mile and field events. She was awarded the Heisman Award for her athletic and academic achievements.
While attending Amherst College and attaining her BA majoring in Psychology and Philosophy, she played 4 years of soccer, competing in the NCAA national championships before a series of knee surgeries that put her athletics on hold.
Since returning to running in 2007, Laura has competed in local road races and 5 marathons, while raising over $10,000 for Dana Farber and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Like Coach Allison, Laura has crossed over into the world of triathlon and has competed in numerous races ranging from Sprint to Iron Man Distances.
When not running, Laura is employed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma work with children and families. She also carries certifications in Spinning and Yoga instruction and is a Level 1 USATF Licensed Coach.
Sydney Henthorn
Coach Sydney has been a member of SMAC since 2004 and has served as the youth track advisor on the board of directors since 2009. Sydney started running in 2003 when her daughter Emma Larson was 11 and has found many opportunities to volunteer at track & field events and local road races. Beginning in 2008, Sydney took over coordinating the winter practice program that was started by Dr. James Clayton. Working closely with the coaches, Sydney has grown the program from 40 to 100 participants. On Friday nights in June, she can be found at SYTL at Northampton HS working to help run our track league series. She became a certified track & field official in 2009 and has worked both high school and college meets, USATF Junior Olympics, and SMAC race events here in Western Massachusetts. She is a certified official with WMTFOA and USATF (Associate level).
When her daughter Emma left for college in the fall of 2011, Sydney decided that she wanted to keep working with young children in track & field training. Sydney has coached cross country at the high school level and now coaches middle school cross country at Amherst Regional Middle School. Sydney is a certified USATF Level 1 coach (July 2012) and also has track and field technical coaching from Track & Field Academy (September 2012) through the U.S.Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. This past season Sydney successfully coached an 8th grade boy who finished 4th in the championship race and two 7th grade girls (13th an 24th) who finished under 12 minutes in the 7th grade race at the MA Middle School XC Invitational. Her favorite distance is 10k and is still working to improve her race times. Sydney also enjoys skiing, hiking and biking. Sydney is a self-employed seamstress and works out of her studio in Easthampton making interior design products.
SMAC Indoor Meet Dates: SMAC will sponsor all-ages indoor meets in January at Smith College. Events start at 5pm. Free entry for all indoor youth practice program members. More information on the SMAC website (www.sugarloafmac.org)
Questions? Email us. See you at the track!
Sydney Henthorn, coach henthornse@aol.com
Allison Belanger, coach belanger7@comcast.net
Mackenzie Gray, coach mmg1214@hotmail.com
Laura Fusari, coach laura.raybould@gmail.com
