Campers at the Princeton High School hurdles and speed camp pose for pictures with Panthers head coach Michael Wellington (third from left). Photo courtesy Michael Wellington
By David Wolman
One of the favorite events on the yearly schedule for Princeton head track and field coach Michael Wellington is the Princeton ISD Speed and Hurdle Camp.
Having competed in the hurdles in high school (Valencia, Calif.) and college (Cal State Northridge), Wellington is always excited to give back the knowledge that he learned while running to the younger generation.
Wellington and seven student-athletes from the Princeton High School track and field team conducted a four-day camp that was held June 15-18 at the high school’s indoor multipurpose facility for incoming fifth through eighth graders.
“It was my favorite event when I was competing in track,” Wellington said. “A lot of the kids want to try the hurdles in middle school. I was happy to introduce them to something that they would enjoy and hopefully carry into high school.”
The first day of the camp featured instruction on sprint mechanics, followed by acceleration on the second day, hurdle fundamentals on the third day and speed hurdles on the fourth and final day.
The biggest thing that Wellington stressed to the campers was having proper mechanics.
“One of the funny things is that they didn’t realize how important your arms and knees are when you’re sprinting,” he said. “That’s how they run fast. Some of them gained a lot of speed over the course of the day.”
With temperatures already soaring into the mid-80s by the start of each day, Wellington felt that it was important to have all the campers train in an environment in which they don’t have to battle the heat.
“It’s lovely because they didn’t have to complain about the heat,” he said. “It was a little humid, but they didn’t have to worry about the sun beating down on them.”
Princeton High School track and field student-athletes who helped coach the campers were Sydney Smith, Aiden Rutledge, Mason Williams, MaKenzie White, Kamari Kirk, Jeremy Oseh and Mimi Owens.
“It was good watching them coach the younger kids,” Wellington said. “Not only do you want your team to have good athletes, but also good teachers.”
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