Meeting the challenge

Barbara Diamond

There’s precious little sitting around for Fred Pichay’s students.

They are all jumping and running.

But that’s to be expected from these participants in a Laguna

Beach Recreation Department track clinic as they prepare for the 33rd

annual Laguna Beach Youth Track Meet. At least 125 children are expected to compete in the event on Saturday at Guyer Field.

“I like running,” Joseph Russeau, 8, said. “It’s fun.”

Russeau may not know it, but he is learning more in the track

clinic than how to run and jump with good form. Besides technique, he

is learning self-discipline and one of life’s hardest lessons -- how

to lose without losing heart.

“There are different techniques for sprinters and distance

runners, but I also teach all of them how to handle losing so they

don’t give up when they get to high school,” Pichay said.

All the participants in Pichay’s winter clinic that ended

Wednesday are eligible for the Saturday meet.

“We expect between 125 and 150 competitors,” said city Recreation

Supervisor Ron Lutz, who has never missed a meet since they were

begun in 1970. “We could handle up to 300.”

The meet is open to Laguna Beach residents born in or after 1988.

Divisions are based on the year of birth. Participants may enter a

maximum of three events, plus relays.

Competitors are expected to form their own teams for the relays.

Field events, including long jump, high jump, softball throw and shot

put will be held concurrently, beginning with the long jump at 8:30

a.m.

“Participants can register right up to the time of the event,”

Lutz said.

Rosettes will be presented to first- through third-place

finishers, and ribbons to all fourth- through sixth-place finishers.

Competitors who place first through fourth in any event are

eligible to join the Laguna Beach Track Team, which will compete in

the Orange County Municipal Athletic Assn. novice track meet on May 4

at Trabuco Hills High School. City relays do not serve as qualifiers

for the county meet.

Saturday will provide the first taste of real competition for many

of the 37 participants in Pichay’s clinic.

They range in age from 6 to 14.

“I started track about three years ago,” Top of the World

third-grader Russeau said. “I was always wild around the house, and

my mom said she wanted me to get rid of all that energy. I really

liked it.”

Russeau likes the longer distances better than the sprints. He

doesn’t like the stretching that the coach insists must precede the

running.

“Stretching is boring,” Russeau said. “That’s why I tell jokes, to

make it more fun.”

Top of the World fifth-graders Gerry Artman and Rocia Chaves

accept the necessity to stretch.

“You need to stretch so you don’t get injured,” Chaves said.

Both 11-year-olds plan to compete in track in high school.

“I like the long jump best,” Artman said.

She is not alone. Lutz said long jump is the most popular event in

the annual track meets.

Pichay has been teaching the recreation department clinic for

seven years.

Participants develop endurance, strength, speed, jumping and

running techniques. Running drills include 50- to 1,600-meter

distances. Field drills include the long jump and the high jump.

“The kids can practice the softball throw for 13 and under on

their own,” Pichay said. “Shot put is limited to kids 13 and over,

and I don’t have anyone doing it in this clinic.”

Pichay has also coached track for more than 10 years at Laguna

Beach High School, where he has been head custodian for 29 years.

“Track and field is a combination of mental and physical

qualities,” Pichay said.

Pichay, 53, was a sprinter in high school, a long jumper and a

high jumper. He began running marathons in the late 1970s, averaging four a year until two years ago, when he decided to take a break.

He coaches cross-country from September to December and the track

clinics from December to May. Clinics are held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

“I can take as many kids as want to participate,” Pichay said. “I

never get tired. I enjoy the kids and I want to see them get more

involved in track.

“There is lots of form to teach. I observe them and then I tell

them what they are doing wrong.”

A new clinic will begin Monday and run through May 2. The fee is

$36 for the first child in a family, $18 for each additional family

member. For more information, call 497-0716.

The entry fee for the track meet Saturday is $10 in advance, $15

on the day of the event.

Competition begins at 8:30 a.m. and should be completed by noon.

Thirty-five events are scheduled, including 400-meter relays and

dash, 100-meter heats and finals, 50-meter heats and finals; and then

the longer distances -- 200, 800 and 1,600 meters.

No bare feet, no spikes, no cleats and no starting blocks are

allowed. All equipment will be provided. Parents must sign a release.

For more information about the track meet or to pick up

information brochures and entry forms, contact the Laguna Beach

Community Services Department at 515 Forest Ave. or call 497-0706,

ext. 6.

* BARBARA DIAMOND is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321.