ORIGINALLY WRITTEN TOM STOPPEL
Tabor College will be offering the unique opportunity to improve timing and technique in track and field events later this month.
Under the direction of Tabor track and field coach Dave Kroeker, area high school athletes will be able to receive individual attention in their respective areas of speciality.
The Dave Kroeker 2005 Track and Field Camp will be offered Thursday evening, July 21 and all day Friday, July 22.
“This camp is for people that want to improve themselves in field events and hurdles,” Kroeker said. “I’m doing this because there really aren’t many track and field camps around and I’m hoping it will aid in my recruiting athletes to Tabor College.
“Schools like KU and K-State have these camps, but what I hope to make unique about this is that we’ll find enough interest to hold camps in all corners of the state and not just on our campus.”
Individual event sessions will be conducted in two-hour intervals.
“We’ve divided it this way for those athletes who have summer jobs and want to participate,” Kroeker said. “You don’t have to spend the entire day here, just during the session you’re interested in.”
Cost of instruction is $40 per session or $75 for two or more sessions.
The camp will be on the campus of Tabor College.
Kroeker will combine his own expertise with that of his staff and athletes from the Bluejay track and field team.
“I’ll be assisted by Ken Christiansen (sprint and hurdle coach), Jeff Penner (throws) and Tabor hurdler Brian Lightner (hurdles and long jump), among others,” Kroeker said. “This isn’t an overnight camp and it’s designed for junior high and high school athletes.”
Ice water will be provided for campers but Kroeker said a “water bottle and towel might not be a bad idea.”
Athletes should come dressed for working out.
“Athletes are encouraged to bring their own implements,” Kroeker said. “We will provide implements for those who don’t have them. If people want to bring their spikes they can.”
While participants can expect to learn methods to improve performance, Kroeker said the camp isn’t designed to overhaul the style of the athletes.
“It’s like any camp-the participant should look forward to learning at least one thing that can improve their performance in their event,” he said. “But we won’t radically change anyone’s technique and we hope we’ll be able to help them in some way.
“Except for the hurdles, which is more of a sprint event, this is basically a camp for field events.”
Kroeker will also conduct a similar camp in Limon, Colo., on July 18 and 19.
“This area of the state has some excellent track and field programs and we hope to have athletes from many of the local high schools attend,” Kroeker said. “If this is successful, I’d like to expand and go around the state.”
Participants will also have the benefit of having their technique video-taped for critique.
“We’ll go over those tapes with the athletes to help identify specific areas that can be improved,” Kroeker said. “Copies of those tapes will be available if the participant brings a regular VHS tape. We’ll arrange to copy the camp tape and send it to them.”
Details of the camp are available from Kroeker by e-mail at davidk@tabor.edu or by phone at 620-382-0437.
“We’d like to know who’s attending by July 18,” Kroeker said. “I want to emphasize this camp is for anyone in the area.”
“We’ll also have a speed component so if somebody just wants to work on track speed, it’s available,” he said. “Whether you play football or basketball, or whether you’re a boy or a girl, the opportunity to improve is here.”
Kroeker offering first track and field camp at Tabor College
