Track and Field to See Improvements
By Lindsey Bolling
The last time major improvements were made to the Battle Creek High School track and field facilities was in 2015 when the track was resurfaced. In March of 2022, the community agreed to fund major improvements to the track and field areas as well as to the concession stand, restrooms and ticket booth.
The upcoming renovations will greatly impact three programs that have been very successful in recent years: the girls and boys track and field programs as well as Battle Creek football. In 2021, Battle Creek Track and Field had 22 state qualifiers and brought home 20 medals from the NSAA Championships held in Omaha in May. The Bravettes finished third as a team and had two state gold medalists: Renee Brummels in the triple jump and Mya Zohner in the pole vault. Over the past five years, the Bravettes have had four individual state champions and numerous state qualifiers and they very rarely return home from a meet without the top trophy.
On the boys’ side in 2021, ten Braves returned from Omaha with hardware, including Landon Olson who finished atop the podium in the long jump. Olson continues to break records this season in the high jump and the long jump; most recently, he broke his own high jump record with his top mark now sitting at 6 feet 9 inches. As a squad, the Braves have accumulated an impressive 37 invite championships and 12 runner-up finishes over the past decade with eight of those titles claimed in district action. With almost 80 Battle Creek students out for track and field, the planned renovations will certainly impact a good percent of the student body.
The vote in March by Battle Creek residents will pay for the improvements to the track and field as well as renovations to the elementary campus and a new FFA facility at the high school campus. According to Superintendent Jake Luhr, about 15 percent of the bond will go toward updates to the sports complex.
Starting with the entrance to Bob Schnitzler Field, more handicap accessible parking will be added near the ticket booth with new siding planned for the booth itself. In addition, the concession stand interior will receive updates, including electrical wiring and appliance improvements. Multiple concrete sidewalk paths will be poured to different areas such as on the east side of track, providing walkways toward field event areas like the shot put area as well as the discus rings and behind the visitor bleachers. The discus and shot put rings will also get some badly-needed improvements. In addition, new runways will be poured for the long and triple jump pits and for the pole vault pit. Additionally, the press box’s structure is secure; however, updates to the exterior are planned. The largest improvement in the works, though, is a new surface for the track itself. Currently, the track has an asphalt base, a surface which must be replaced every fifteen years. The new surface will be a post tension-based concrete, which is expected to last for at least 50 years.
The coaching staff are excited about the proposed changes. Andrew Carlson, head boys’ track and field coach, stated, “The new updates are an exciting addition to our proud program. The additions will make our facility one of the top track and field facilities in Nebraska.” Girls head track and field coach Taylor Baumert agrees and stated that he looks forward to seeing the improvements and hopes construction goes smoothly.
Battle Creek Public School says Thank you!
Battle Creek Public Schools says Thank you!
Thank You!
Battle Creek Public Schools says Thank You
Battle Creek Public Schools says Thank You!
Battle Creek Public Schools says Thank You!
Battle Creek Public School says Thank You!!
Battle Creek Public Schools says Thank You!
Conference track will now be Tuesday with a 12:00 start time for field events. 2:30 running events. Back to Prelims/Finals meet.
Some of the 2022 BC Junior High Speech students traveled to Wayne on Sat., April 30 to compete in their big Blue Devils invite! Our competitors are improving each week, and Israel Baier brought home 4th place in Declamation Speaking! Congrats!
Battle Creek High School Athletic Banquet tonight is another great success. Thanks to all the work by our athletic director @codywintz for making this night possible for our coaches, student athletes and parents. #BCPRIDE
Athletic Banquet Plan
Goodies will be setup by 5:15. Families can begin to arrive at 5:30 to go through the meal line. Food will be served until 6:20, so come when it works best for you. We'll begin the Banquet Program at 6:30 and be done by 7:30.
Tickets needed for meal
There will be no Youth Track practice on Monday, May 2nd due to inclement weather forecast.
Due to Conference Track being rescheduled to Monday, we will NOT have our Youth Track Practice that day. We will not reschedule. Thanks for participating and have a great summer!
We hope you can attend the Final Pokemon Club Meeting Friday, May 6th from 3:30-6:00 in the Elementary Lunchroom.
The Mid State Conference Track Meet will be postponed to Monday, May 2nd at Battle Creek. Field events will begin at 11:00, running events will begin at 1:30 or earlier if possible. This will be a finals only track meet
Battle Creek Elementary raised $2660.00 for the American Heart Association.. Taake’s Kindergarten raised $1016.05!! As a reward, Taake’s Kindergarten slimed Principal Childers! It’s a great day to be a Brave!
1st grade having fun with boomwhackers in the music room!
Come out today to Norfolk Public High School to support Battle Creek's best competing in the Norfolk Track Classic. #BCpride
