BY JOHN SNYDER
OF PASCACK PRESS
EMERSON, N.J.—More than 70 youngsters age 5–12 are signed up to run, jump and throw with the new Emerson Cavos Youth Track program, and they have the Borough Council to thank for a head start.
According to resident Chris Pesce, board president of Cavos track, the governing body agreed to float the program $2,000 after he requested aid at a recent meeting’s public comment period.
“That will meet the need before we get any registration fees in. So it’s a little bit of a slow process. They were hesitant at first but now we can buy shot puts and javelins” and other gear, Pesce told Pascack Press, referring to the council.
Spring registration money inbound will tackle a longer wish list, including a portable shelter for the K–6 athletes and their coaches, Pesce said.
An open house for prospective members is March 9 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Emerson Recreation Center, 20 Palisade Ave. Practice starts March 16 at Emerson High School.
The program is affiliated with the non-profit New Jersey Striders Track Club, which is based in northern New Jersey and has members from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. It competes in local and national races and meets.
Striders organizes youth track and field competitions in April, May, and June. Each summer it holds a series of masters competitions at high schools.
Track and field is a variety of athletic competitions that take place on an athletic track. Events can include individual or team efforts. Field events include the high jump, long jump, and shot put. Track events are races including sprints and longer runs.
“We’re going to compete in all those events, as long as we can get kids to agree to do them,” Pesce said.
Pesce, 46, a structural engineer working in Paramus, said the Cavos program sparked from borough parents who know each other from other sports.
“There are a lot of runners in Emerson, and we were talking about getting a program together for the kids so they can all run together,” he said.
Pesce started running in his late 20s, after college.
“I was working, and just trying to work off the pounds you accumulate when you’re working and not being active,” he said.
Pesce said he runs with his son, Joshua, 9. His two daughters, who are older, haven’t discovered running yet.
“The sport gives you fitness and good mental determination and it translates well into other parts of life,” he said.
There are track programs at the middle school and high school, and there used to be a robust program at Assumption Church, but there’s nothing for elementary school ages.
Pesce said he sees this as a strong feeder program.
The Emerson Recreation Association gave its blessing for a pilot program in late December 2018 or early January and dozens of families wanted in, he told the mayor and council.
Pesce said the track and field program is recruiting for spring and that there are summer programs the kids could go to.
“In the fall we definitely plan on having a youth cross-country team, which is no field events, just running in trails,” he said.
Borough recreation is provided by a Recreation Commission of volunteers who oversee the administration of all youth and adult recreation sports programs.
Jill McGuire, the council liaison for Recreation, told Pascack Press, “Having been the parent of Emerson Cavo track athletes, one of whom ran on a college track scholarship, I was thrilled that one of my first tasks as a councilwoman was to assist with the startup of a recreation track program.”
She added, “Track is an amazing sport. I am sure this new program can serve as a feeder program to the high school track team. I wish the team the best of luck this season. Have fun and run big!”
For registration information, write cavostrack@gmail.com.