An historic local event will be happening at Ukiah High School Stadium Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, May 6 and May 8. The UHS Wildcat Track and Field Team and families will be hosting the prestigious North Bay League T&F Championships, for the first time at our Low Gap site. Ukiah last hosted the NBL’s in the 1970’s, at what is now Pomolita Field. Legendary UDJ sports writer and editor Glenn Erickson covered that event; local educator and coach Ray Chadwick was the announcer. Glenn showed the way to later UDJ sports writers/editors Joe Langstaff and Dave Taxis; Peter Brewer’s provided many photos.
Creation in 2014 of our beautiful all weather track, upgraded field facilities, and stadium improvements, finally enables Ukiah to accommodate this championship, held since the 1980’s at Sonoma County sites.
This year’s Ukiahi Girls and Boys team – varsity and junior varsity – will be highly competitive, with some 60 athletes in 16 running, throwing, and jumping events. Ten Sonoma County teams will bring lots of fine athletes; for varsity top placers, it’ll be a qualifying meet for the Redwood Empire Championships in Fortuna May 17, leading to the Meet of Champions in Dublin and the State Championships in Clovis.
Meet Director Michael Teagardin – UHS Head Boys Coach – and Head Girls Coach Evan Carlson have been working all season preparing athletes, facilities, and volunteers for the big show. Our throws coach is Brett Bowers, Pomolita teacher and former UHS State Meet discus thrower.
Many local businesses and individuals – encouraged by our athletes’ outreach – have contributed funds for equipment, uniforms, and other necessities for our team. The UHS & UUSD grounds and maintenance crews have been working diligently to keep the venue in great shape. Ukiah High and UUSD administrations and school board are supportive in providing services, equipment, and all-important transportation to away meets. UHS Athletic Director Cameron Johnson takes care of us.
One absolutely essential element to running successful T&F meets – especially with multiple teams – is a state-of-the-art electronic timing system. We’re deeply grateful to the Strangio family of the Ukiah Valley Athletic Club for their donation of such a system to our team and T&F and running organizations here. John and Lauren Strangio have been operating the system for us throughout the season. The North Coast Striders have been, as always, strong supporters of T&F and X-Country at Ukiahi and other Mendocino County schools, financially and as volunteers.
Speaking of volunteers: in addition to many parents and community members who’ve helped in various ways, the UHS coaches and team are very thankful for on-field and community back-up of volunteer coaches and helpers Holly Enzler, Eveline Rodriguez, Roger Ramirez, Keary Johns, and Strider Rodger Schwartz. Jennie Kraemer has been indispensable as our finish line events recorder. Retired coaches Brenna and Chad Raugewitz still have our backs.
On both Tuesday 5/6 and Thursday 5/8, the main field events will start at 3 p.m., track events at 4 p.m. The Tuesday Trials will be intense; Thursday’s Finals, even more so. Mr. Glenn Erickson (who at Cal Berkeley in the 1940’s threw the disc and ran the mile until his legs gave out) would have told us: There’s nothing like a big track and field meet in great weather. Mr. Jim Crowhurst will be recording it all.
If you think you can’t afford to go to the 2028 L.A. Olympics, here’s your chance to see track and field at its amateur finest. The admission’s way cheaper, team parents will be running concessions, and no corporate logos will be seen, only banners for local business sponsors and graduating senior student athletes.
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