Back The Track (Phase Two)

Dear Parents, Teachers, Alumni and Supporters:The Benzie Central Track Team is at a situation of critical mass.  The track and the field event areas, such as the pole vault pit, high jump and long jump are in dire need of replacement.  It is a fact that many of the competing schools in the area have stated they will not participate in any of the school sponsored meets because of the current conditions. 
 
We are currently in the process of writing grant proposals to request the funding, but that is not a guarantee.  Given the condition of the track, we will not be able to host any home events until the track and other related areas are fixed.  We need your support. 

 
Currently, the Benzie Central Track is currently home to 110 high school middle school athletes.  The track is also open to the community for a safe place to walk.  The last time the track was resurfaced was in 1996, nearly 20 years ago.  
 
Check out our athlete’s accolades: 

Girls Track State Champions-1999, 2011, 2013, 2014; Runner-up 1998, 2000, 2009, 2010, 2012

Girls MITCA Team State Champions-2011, 2012, 2013

Girls Track Regional Champions-1983, 1984, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Girls Track Conference Champions-1983, 1984, 1998, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

 Girls Cross Country State Champions-1982, 1983, 1998, 2008, 2011; Runner up, 1997, 2010, 2013

Girls Cross Country Regional Champions-1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013

Girls Cross Country Conference Champions-1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1997, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

 
Boys Track State Champions-Runner-Up 2001

Boys MITCA Team State Runner Up-2013

Boys Track Regional Champions- 1972, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015

Boys Track Conference Champions- 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Boys Cross Country State Champions-1984, 1985, 1986, 1995, 1997, 2009, 2013, 2014; Runner-up 1987, 1996, 2001

Boys Cross Country Regional Champions-1973, 1984, 1985,1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014

Boys Cross Country Conference Champions-1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1995, 1997, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

 
As you can see, the accomplishments are pretty impressive, please keep in mind, this does not include the many All State Academic accolades and individual accomplishments. What you may not know is the Benzie Central Track Team is more than just a spring time sport.  The team has helped to keep kids in school; brought about many opportunities for children in terms of college scholarships, who otherwise would not continue their education; and it has also helped other children to build their self-esteem through their accomplishments.  You will find enclosed a few testimonials from current athletes and alumni to support this initiative.  Please help to keep the dream alive and “Back the Track!”
Check out the Back The Track Facebook page to keep up on the story!












Powerful Letter from Track and Field Coach Traci Kelly

           While I am not a former runner or an alumni of Benzie Central, I know first-hand the proud and outstanding tradition this school has with its track and field program. I grew up in Suttons Bay and ran against many former Benzie Central track athletes. This program was and is known for its running and I could feel it even then. Now, as a teacher, coach, and community member that gets to be a part of and help shape the future of this sport, I get to live the tradition that I once knew about growing up.

          I remember coming to Benzie Central for cross country meets and wondering why a program as distinguished as this one was, only had an asphalt track. When it was resurfaced in the late 1990’s, it was something known about throughout the area. Now, this school with such a proud track and field background had a track that they could call their own. I am stuck wondering again; wondering why a program as distinguished as this one is again without a track that will meet its needs.

Track in all its aspects has been what has made me who I am. I ran both track and cross country for Suttons Bay, was fortunate to receive a full scholarship at Indiana University to continue doing what I love and now have the opportunity to coach those sports that have helped me become who I am. Track gave me an identity. I was not outgoing, nor was I a standout in anything besides running. Track and field made me see that I have a place, I am good at this, and I can use it to achieve my life’s goals. Yes, I wanted to excel and be the absolute best that I could be at it and I was able to achieve those goals but it also helped me become the teacher, coach, parent, and wife that I am today. It has taught me how to deal with success as well as failure. Track has instilled in me the need to always give everything I have into what I am doing whether it be teaching a lesson, mothering my children, being a supportive wife, or mentoring the next generation of track and field athletes to come out of Benzie Central.

           Now, as I look back on yet another successful season of Benzie Central track and field, I am left wondering again. What does the future hold? Will we be able to host the meets we want to host or even practice in a facility that is safe? I go to practice each day wondering if the pits will last one more day or should we move them again because the take-off area is only asphalt with a small spattering of track surface left on it. I sit at home at night seeding the meet for the next day and wondering if we should run one extra heat because we don’t want to use lane one or two anymore than necessary. I wonder how many bags of spikes I will go through in a season because running on our current track wears them down to nothing in a few days.

           This idea of a new facility is no longer a want or a wish. It is an absolute necessity. We are faced with the possibility of no longer being able to host meets because of the state of our track, the field event areas, and the equipment. Is this what we want to come of this sport that has helped countless numbers of athletes gain an identity, become successful people, and given them a reality to their dreams? Do we want this to be what we have to share with our community that has given so much support to this program and its athletes? A new track and equipment are a must. We can no longer patch what is there and move pits around. We cannot sit by and tell our athletes and our community that we can’t host a meet because of the state of our track. We need to give them a facility and equipment that they are proud of; a facility that represents what I grew up hearing about and what I live each day…..The Tradition of Benzie Central Track and Field.

Traci (Knudsen) Kelly