Track and field program raising funds for equipment, community notice

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

One purpose of the current fundraising effort by the Fallbrook High School track and field program is to raise money to replace aging equipment. The fundraiser also has the purpose of informing the community about the track and field program.

“The majority of our equipment is quite old,” said Fallbrook junior Aiden Bernier, who is part of the Warriors’ boys pole vault contingent. “We do have some new equipment, but not a lot of it.”

Bernier’s mother, Jennifer, ran hurdles for Fallbrook High School when she was a student. The hurdles are the same ones she ran over during her high school days. The fundraising effort seeks to replace approximately 80 hurdles.

Replacing the pole vault pit would cost approximately $20,000, but the fundraising so far has allowed for a new cover for the pit. If the fundraising is successful, a new high jump pit will be purchased. “The high jump pit we have, it is falling apart,” Bernier said.

The fundraising effort to date has raised approximately $2,600. The near-term goal is to raise $10,000. “We have a lot of stuff to replace and repair,” Bernier said.

The appeal to parents, businesses, and other community members also allows those people to become familiar with the program. “That’s one of our big reasons for doing this fundraiser,” Bernier said. “The main goal is to be closer with our team and have them be more a part of our program.”

In addition to obtaining sponsors, that outreach may also increase the number of spectators at Fallbrook High School track and field meets, and parents with children in high school will be encouraged to have their children consider participating as runners, vaulters, jumpers, or throwers.