WCPSS Students are First in Fitness
March 9, 2006 - The Wake County Public School System will celebrate the 24th anniversary of the "First in Fitness" competition this spring."First in Fitness" was established by former elementary physical education teacher, Ben Tench and is one of the oldest on-going physical fitness events in the country. Over 50 elementary schools and 20 middle schools will be sending teams of students to compete in a variety of fitness events including the mile run, pull-ups, one-minute jump rope, shuttle run, broad jump, 100-yard dash, a modified triathlon, and other track and field events.
Ben's idea has grown from a single event involving a handful of schools and about 100 students, to a massive county-wide spectacle involving over 70 schools with thousands of participants, spectators, event coordinators, PEPI students, and judges. Over 6,000 parents, students, teachers, and other guests will attend and/or participate in this year's events. The events will be held at three different venues during the months of April and May. They are:
- Northern Area Elementary First in Fitness- April 5, 2006 starting at 9:30 am at Sanderson High School.
- Southern Area Elementary First in Fitness - April 6, 2006 starting at 9:30 am at Athens Drive High School.
- Middle School First in Fitness - April 7, 2006 starting at 9:30 am at Athens Drive High School.
- Elementary Magnet Schools Track and Field Meet - May 5, 2006 starting at 9:30 am at Broughton High School.
With our country's growing obesity and type II diabetes trend among school-aged youth (especially minority students), Wake County Public School System's "First in Fitness" event will provide an interesting contrast to this national and state concern.
For more information, contact Ann Hulslander, Senior Administrator for Health & Physical Education, at 850-1646.
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