AAU meet a fairly smooth run

Coaches, county, volunteers help Marlboro Track Club host regional event

Saturday afternoon, a representative from County Executive Jack Johnson’s office showed up with an oversized check for $6,000, delivering on a grant that the Marlboro Track Club applied for months ago.

The check was not the only key factor that helped the event run smoothly. The parents associated with Marlboro Track Club and several others in the county volunteered their time and efforts and were instrumental in bringing the meet together.

‘‘We had very few problems,” Wilkinson said, beads of sweat forming on her forehead under the hot summer sun on Sunday. ‘‘I think we did as good as we could have possibly done.”

‘‘I think the Marlboro Track Club did a great job on hosting the meet,” said Will Moore, coach of the Technique Track Club of Norfolk, Va. ‘‘They did some things that could be useful for us when we host.”

John Erzen, a spokesman for the county executive’s office, talked about Johnson’s commitment to youth enrichment activities.

‘‘We have been very supportive to the Boys and Girls Clubs here in Prince George’s County,” Erzen said. ‘‘They are a very valuable resource for the youth in our county through all of the programs and activities they provide. They can really help instill a lot of values and life lessons for everyone. We’re always glad to help out in the community in any way we can.”

Among the logistical problems facing the Marlboro Track Club before the meet began was the question of where athletes and their families could set up their tents to lounge and stay out of the sun during downtime. The original plan was to use Wise’s baseball field, but the outfield portion of the baseball field ended up being put to use for the shot put and discus events.

Wise Principal Mark King and County Schools Athletic Supervisor Earl Hawkins helped make it possible for teams to set up tents on the softball field, Wilkinson said.

‘‘When they came to us and told us they needed the space, we were able to come up with something to work for both [sides],” said Hawkins. ‘‘We were glad to help. A lot of those kids go to our schools in our county.”

And as for the other essentials, such as on-site emergency medical coverage, selling concessions and ushering athletes and families to their spots, Wilkinson said nothing could have been done without an excellent group of parent volunteers. Even grandparents chipped in while battling the steamy weather.

‘‘I think that it shows the kids the responsibility of giving back,” said Cheryl Collins, a parent volunteer from Upper Marlboro. ‘‘You can’t pay for people to do everything. Sometimes you have to have volunteers. I feel the parents can show the kids a lesson that they could take from their own life when they grow up.”

E-mail Terron Hampton atthampton@gazette.net.