Testimonials

Hi! My name is Peter Davis. I am currently 16 years old and in my Junior year of high school. 

Track has been a sport that I have participated in for the last 6 years, since 6th grade.  In sixth grade, I wasn't all that great at running, jumping, or throwing. I never liked any of these things very much. I definitely wasn't one of the athletes that people came to watch. On top of that I felt like I always had shin splints which hurt a ton! I don't know why I stuck with it. I felt a lot of pain and spent a lot of time pushing through it. But, every year, I kept coming back and pushing harder. 

My freshman year I realized that I actually had a chance at being good at long distance. The 1500-meter race is my favorite race. But with the longer distances comes more training and with more training comes a higher risk of injuries. The average runner puts more than a thousand pounds of pressure per step. Having a rubberized surface to train on reduces the force and the risk of injury.

 This year in cross country I took second in the district and nineth in the state. I know that with how I did in cross country I can go to state in track, but that means a lot more training, and with that comes an increase in the risk of getting injured. Having a rubberized surface to train on allows us to train with much more intensity and much more vigorously. With out rubberized track we can't even train with our spikes on the track, which ends up making the first few track meets just training with our spike to get your calves built up again. And this puts a very large damper on our training. Having a rubberized track would also allow us to hold track meets, help kids to enjoy track more and grow our community. 

 I have really enjoyed my years of running for Pine Eagle and hope that many more kids can enjoy it too.   Its much more enjoyable without shin splints.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Sincerely, Peter Davis

I am Linda Collier and I have lived in Pine Valley since 1978.  

During the 1990’s, when I saw that the track had been surfaced through a community effort/National Guard, I was very excited.  I used it at that time for walking and met other community members who were doing the same.  

It was very fun to me to watch the track program under the coaching of Gail Kimberling.  In a small school, it is important to have some activities that students can take part in that does not involve a team. It is a nice community builder to have a successful track program. It would be great if we could get the track finished so that race events could be held here and involve other schools from other towns.    

In 2012, when we started the Pine Valley Cross Country Ski Club, we realized that we could groom the snow on the track and use it to help teach skiing.  It was a good addition to the program. We planned activities and races on the track.   

It has been in use for our ski program every skiable year since the beginning of the program.

I hope we can finish the track and make it a more usable addition to the school grounds.  

I’m Nyah Johnson, age 17 and a Junior at Pine Eagle High School.

I’ve done track since 6th grade. Outside of my freshman year, this will be my 5th year.

Track has been a world of fun and has really helped with all my other sports in so many ways outside of just physical ability. Track has been a family to me and the memories I’ve gotten from these people have been some of the absolute best.

I would have to say running on the current, unfinished track has taken a toll on all of us physically… Many of us have experienced horrible shin splints and other pains in our bodies. This has made competing harder. With the physical strain and the lack of being able to train properly with our spikes as they would be destroyed, it’s difficult to run on our current track.

I feel that by finishing the track, not only would the athletics benefit, but we would have a place for the community to enjoy at-home meets in our beautiful town on a clean track, and have a place for anyone to come run, walk, or just be proud of this accomplishment.

I hope this reaches the right people to help bring track to all new highs!

Nyah Johnson

For the past six years I’ve watched in amazement as Pine Eagle athletes train on a sub-par track and field facility.

They can’t use spikes or starting blocks on our old asphalt track. They lose their discs in dangerous brush piles and throw the shot into a graveled, weed-filled lot. Puncture vine surrounds the long jump runway and there is no designated throwing area to practice javelin.

Yet, our athletes still excel in their respective events. Many qualify for state, including our three-time state shot put champion, Ella Randall. These athletes have grit and determination. They rise above aches and injuries suffered on our track. I can only imagine how much more successful they could be with a proper place to practice. I’ve seen the look of amazement on their faces when they walk onto a “real” track where they can finally run between actual lines, use fast shoes and throw and jump in safe, proper venues. Our athletes dream of having something similar in their home town. They are proud to be Spartans and proud of the beautiful area in which they live. Some day, they hope to show off Pine Valley by hosting home meets, which would only be possible with a new track and field facility. They would also like to share the track and their passion for this life-long sport with younger students and community members. I have been blessed and inspired to be their coach, and I would love to see the hard work of past, present and future athletes recognized with a state-of-the art track and field facility at Pine Eagle High School.

Gail Kimberling

Head Track and Field Coach

Head Cross Country Coach