Track wrap up 2012

So with the close of the State Track meet yesterday, the Bleeker's complete another track season with success...and the hope of what's to come! Such a great sport with only a stopwatch and your own self-motivation to make you better. We can honestly say that we left it on the track! (Literally! Right B? LOL)

Lauren ran 200s and 400s and looked great in the long jump too. Here she rounds the last corner in the 400 with the HEELAN sign behind her. Her best split was a 67.

Getting ready to hand off the baton in the 4x400...hopefully next year she will be handing it off to big sister? :)

With quick speed we may just see her jumping again next year...never can tell with Lauren. But whatever she decides to attempt...she usually conquers! Way to go Spanky!

Moving on to B's last meet on the blue oval in Des Moines...for her sophomore year. What a great experience! What a bunch of amazing runners at State and such great motivation to do those off-season work outs!! Here B is taking the baton from Lindsey to run the second leg of the 4x800.

Streching out the lead that Lindsey started...

And getting ready to hand it off to Abby. Brooke ran a 2:28 split. Not her best but pretty close. We were so proud of her. The team ended up getting 9th (top 8 get a medal) by .3 seconds. That is just the motivation that will keep B working next year to get that medal!!

Our family on Thursday after cheering for the 4x800 team...and yes, those shirts are BLINDING! You should have seen the looks we got when we left the track meet and went to get some groceries...in our matching blinding shirts! One lady asked us if the school made us wear them. haha

Earlier this month, we had the Mater Dei Elementary track meet. Like Lauren, Dayle also did the long jump and did pretty well. She said she liked long jumping and running at meets but didn't really think she would run a 400 again. "That's too far!" were her exact words! lol

Here Dayle is in the middle of the pack as she races for the finish line in the 200. She finished 2nd and thought that was the perfect amount of running.

Her last race was the 4x100 and she was the anchor. It was a co-ed event and her team ended up getting 6th. Overall, she said she likes track but I know that she watches Brooke and Lauren enough to know that it is not an "easy sport." (Is there even such a thing?) I am betting she heads back to the pool and swims in High School. She swims like a fish and can hold her breath forever!!

Jaron also got involved in the Mater Dei track meet and eagerly signed up for the 50 yard dash and the tennis ball throw. Here he is taking off in the dash. He did win his heat and you can see me as the string holder. He is so competitive and loved HIS track meet!

Jaron's other event was to throw the tennis ball as far as he could. He did great but was so quick to throw it we never even got a picture. He loves to compete and was so proud to be just like his older sisters who had many track meets that he also attended. I so enjoyed each and every track meet that I got to attend...16 total in 2 months time. We made many memories as a family and had such great weather. Now, we focus on end-of-the-year projects as we anticipate the last days of school this week...and yes. I will be heading to Scheel's to buy a bleacher seat for next year. No more bleacher butt for this Mom!!