By MICHAEL BOYLAN

Sports Editor

Last year the Fayette County Youth Track team held one practice before spring break. The team had close to 30 members, ages 6-14. At the first practice after spring break, the coaches and over half the team disappeared, due to apathy, injuries and extenuating family circumstances.

"Morale was pretty low, as you could imagine," Danielle Mathis said. "When half the team doesn't show up, the others start wondering why they are there." Mathis took over coaching responsibilities with two other parents, John DeCotis and Kent Woerner, to give their children and the remaining members of the team a season to remember.The team persevered and went on to the 1998 G.R.P.A. Districts held in Lovejoy and the State Finals in Augusta.

The Fayette Youth Track team is now in the process of rebuilding. Coach Kent Woerner has moved to Clayton County and his family, including several key members of last year's team, have moved with him. While they are always looking for fresh faces for the team, they are desperately in need of coaches and volunteers, especially field coaches. Last year, one member qualified for the states in the high jump without a field coach. The talent is there, the kids just need the guidance. "We really need the help of the parents," Coach Mathis said. "When the parents work with their children, a regimen can be established that would facilitate a healthier lifestyle."

There are many benefits of particpating with the Fayette Youth Track team besides the obvious physical benefits. There is a spirit of sportsmanship, cooperation and friendship that is built as the teammates share each other's achievements and lead and encourage each other. Discipline and goal setting can also be achieved through running track. It isn't so much about beating everyone else but rather doing your personal best. "I just want the kids to leave as better people and better runners," stated Coach Mathis.

Danielle Mathis has some experience at track and coaching. She ran track in high school and coached intramural basketball and tennis in college. She knows what it takes to build winners and all of her sons run on the team. Danielle also worked on the Summer Olympic Motvational Program. The program consisted of former Olympic medal winners hosting clinics for children who did poorly throughout the school year. The goal is to motivate better academics through the discipline of athletics. Danielle has worked at these clinics with Ron Freeman of the 1968 gold medal relay team, Wilma Rudolph and Althea Gibson.

The goal of the Fayette Youth Track team, according to Mathis, is to "start a summer youth track program as well as a year round running club." The benefits of this type of program cannot be denied. Anything that stimulates discipline and good health in the youth should be assisted by the people within the community.

Registration for the Fayette Youth Track team will take place at the Fayette County Recreation Center on Jan. 18 -22 and 25-29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 23 and 30. The fee is $40 and each family gets $5 off for each sibling that registers at the same time. The team will start practicing on Feb. 23 at McCurry Park in Fayetteville. Contact Danielle Mathis through the Fayette County Recreation Department at 770-461-9714.

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