As the season winds down for the Whitesboro Summer Track Program, it is going out with a bang. Having wrapped up the regional competition a couple of weeks ago, the program is poised to send nine athletes to the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF) Games of Texas, the state finals in Brownsville, Texas.
However, sandwiched in between this year’s regional meet and state meet was the biennial State Games of America, the national competition that invites the top three finishers from every state from the last two years to compete. It moves from state to state every occurrence, and this year was hosted in San Diego, California.
The Summer Track Program saw two athletes qualify for the national meet that made the trip. Each athlete participated in two events. Zander Brannan returned with a gold medal in pole vault.
Brannan cleared 13 feet in the pole vault, which was enough to put him at the top of the 16 and under (16U) age group in which he was competing. He was rewarded with the gold medal for his efforts. Brannan also competed in the 800-meter run, in which he finished 5th.
Micah Velten competed in the 16U discus throw and shot put. Velten returned with two bronze medals for his 3rd place finish in each event. The competition was close for Velten, and his 3rd place finishes are the culmination of years of effort and practice.
Their families traveled with them and were able to see the athletes accomplish these feats. Both families have long been competitors in the summer track program, and include Brannan’s sister, Skyler, who is the runners coach for the Summer Track Program, and Velten’s mother, Amy, who is the head coach for the team.
With nationals taking place the 20th and 21st, there is a quick turn-around for the coaches and athletes, who traveled to nationals. The Brownsville state games begin on July 25 and run through July 29, and the two nationals’ athletes will be joining seven of their peers to compete for state titles.
The participation in the national meet is a big accomplishment not just for the athletes, but for the Summer Track Program. The program suffered several setbacks five years ago as long-time coaches retired, and the Whitesboro Parks and Recreation Department sponsorship drew to a close. The next year, Covid-19 prompted the complete cancellation of the season, and the following year was extremely limited.
Several families were determined to keep the program alive through the years of turmoil, and the program survives now as nonprofit Whitesboro Area Youth Summer Sports (WAYSS). It relies on community support and fundraisers to operate.
The once booming numbers from a decade ago have returned as the program started with almost 100 athletes this summer, with over 20 athletes continuing through the regional competition. Three years ago, the program had 20 athletes total. Coach Amy Velten is excited for the future of summer track.
“We have some really great coaches in place, and so many supportive, helpful parents filling in the gaps,” Amy Velten said. “The community has been very supportive of our athletes, and we are looking forward to an even bigger athlete turnout next summer.”
