WAUSA – The idea of a new surface for Wausa Public Schools’ track is running through Greg Conn’s mind as he prepares to take several athletes to the State track meet in Omaha May 17-18.
The longtime coach of track and field at Wausa spoke to the school district’s board of education on May 13 about concerns he has about the current condition of Wausa’s grassy track, located west of the school campus on the edge of the community.
“The track is just to a point where it’s uneven,” Conn said. “That’s probably our biggest issue – ankles, shins and whatnot that are being beat up.”
He noted high school and junior high athletes have been dealing with physical issues in their legs due to training on Wausa’s track.
“My point is, we’ve got to do something,” Conn said. “Here’s the thing – if we want to sit and think about it, we can, but that’s not going to make things any better.”
He asked school board members to consider the future of Wausa’s track-and-field program.
“We’ve got to do something to protect our kids,” Conn said. “Otherwise, I’m going to start losing kids out of the program.”
He did not have any costs for how much money it would take to improve Wausa’s track to a possible hard surface, but he noted he would gather that information.
“If you look at the big picture and we put something down there, what’s it going to do for us in the future?” Conn said. “It could do a lot besides just track and field.”
He emphasized the school district needs to start looking five to 10 years down the road as to what an improved track could do for the program and the community as a whole.
“Short term, I don’t care if we rip up the grass … but we’ve got to do something so these kids can practice and not get injured,” Conn said.
Wausa Superintendent Brad Hoesing noted improvements to the school district’s track would be a significant financial investment.
“There might be a possibility of some funding outside (of the school district) that we could take advantage of if we have the right presentation and the right setup to do that,” Hoesing said.
Conn noted an improved Wausa track with a hard surface would allow community members to use it for walking and running.
“Obviously, it would be open to the community,” Conn said. “Everybody that has a track at their high schools has that availability so people can come out and walk. Right now, my major concern, short term, is keeping kids from being injured.”
School board member Brian Wakeley asked Conn about the possibility of having an eight-lane track in Wausa.
“I think so,” Conn said. “I would price it with six or eight lanes to show (potential) costs.”
Conn said he would look into finding grants to help fund track improvements. Fundraising also could be an option to help, he said.
School board president Mike Kumm noted an improved Wausa track would help enhance the community’s attractiveness.
“It’s impossible to get away from the fact gymnasiums and tracks and these other facilities are some of the most-used places in a community,” Kumm said. “A track goes beyond just high school.”
Conn thanked the board for listening to his concerns.
“We’ve had a lot of success in track and field,” Conn said, noting that was happening before he took over the program at Wausa. “It (improving the track’s surface) would help not only the athletes, but as a whole the school and community.”
School board members gave Hoesing permission to gather information on potential costs.
“You can’t have a conversation without some actual data,” Kumm said. “It’s going to come down to dollars.”
