Martensville Messenger October 6, 2016 | Page 6

Page 6 - OCtOBer 6, 2016 - martensville messenger 1st Annual Cross Country Meet Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger Martensville schools came together on Wednesday, September 28 to host the first ever Cross Country Meet at Kinsmen Park. Principal Ron Biberdorf said, “Our kids and Valley Manor kids go to cross-country meets throughout the school division. We thought it was our turn to contribute and put one on ourselves. We thought this would be a good opportunity to invite Chris Mason, who is going to be the principal at Lake Vista school, to come out and meet people in Martensville. It's a good opportunity for him to see things and be visible. About 350 kids came out in our first attempt at running this meet, including some students from other school divisions. We're really excited about the charitable aspect that we’re doing for the inner city kids as well.” Participants were asked to bring in a toonie or an item of clothing that could be donated. Ron said, “My wife is the Principal at Pleasant Hill school. She waits for sales at Value Village and takes the money raised and gets a lot of great gear. Thanks to all the donations, a vehicle full of clothes plus $340 is going to Pleasant Hill School Clothes for Kids.” Perhaps it was ironic that the day of the Race was also National Help Your Neighbour Day! Principal Garth Harrison mentioned the cheer team in the concession raising money for their new uniforms. The Valley Manor principal said, “Grade 11 and 12 students from the high school worked as markers or telling the kids which way to go. Principal Ron Biberdorf estimated that they had 30 people volunteering for the cross-country meet in different aspects. “I didn't know a lot about cross-country meets and so we did some research and we talked to a lot of people that put on these meets like Langham and Delisle,” stated Biberdorf. Venture Heights School posted, “Thank you to all the Grade 4-8 cross country runners. You represented our school well, both on the course and helping out with the event.” ABOVE: Students stretch before beginning the cross-country events. LEFT: Principals Ron Biberdorf (VHS), Chris Mason (Lake Vista) and Garth Harrison (VMS). BELOW: Mr. Campbell leads a group of particpants to the start line. if you have a sporting event that you would like included in an upcoming issue of the martensville messenger, please contact jhayward@ sasktel.net BELOW: Ready...Set...Go!