Cloquet Relay Meet A Fresh Change of Pace

May 24

Amy Campbell-Cloquet High School

On May 14th Cloquet held a different kind of track meet– the “Relay Meet.” During this unprecedented competition, kids were able to try new events never heard of before such as the 6 x 800 meter relay, the hurdle relay, the co-ed 4×100 meter relay, the steeple chase, and the throwers’ 4×100 meter relay.
In addition to the hosting Cloquet team, Esko, Moose Lake-Willow River, Two Harbors and Proctor
participated in this meet.

In the 6 x 800 meter relay, six people run an 800 meter race. The twist is no exchange zones are used. The participants chosse when to hand off the baton. The hurdle relay consists of three people: one hurdles down the 100 meter stretch, tags a teammate who would then hurdle back down the same stretch and tag the last hurdler to finish. In the co-ed 4 x 100 meter relay, the order of sprinters went girl, boy, girl, boy. In this meet the steeple chase, which is not a normal event in a high school track meet, consists of athletes running one mile while jumping over hay bales. The boys had a large showing for this event. The throwers 4×100 relay consisted of all throwers.

As an athlete, I can safely say that this meet was a fun change of pace. It is nice to have some variety because normally I feel that every meet is the same. Also, the winners of each event received a special T-shirt. At the meet during the following week, numerous athletes were sporting the T-shirts. I was one of them.

This fun relay meet was definitely a hit with the athletes. Many are looking forward to one next year. The meet next year will be filled with new ideas and events.

Comments can be addressed to sports@northlandsportsonline.com