Sweet Home alum Dakotah Keys will return to Husky Field, where he set many high school records, as one of the instructors in a summer track and field camp for local athletes this summer.
The camp will run from June 17, the Tuesday after school lets out, through July 25 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, from 10 a.m. to noon. It is open to all students sixth grade and up who are interested in improving their physical fitness and learning track and field skills – running, jumping and throwing. Younger athletes will be considered by request of a parent or guardian.
In addition to Keys, instructors will include camp director Andrew “Keebler” Allen of the Sweet Home High School track and field and cross-country programs, and other local coaches.
The camp will focus on the 10 decathlon events, the competition Keys has won three Pac-12 championships in for the University of Oregon. Sweet Home has made a name for itself by holding a decathlon and hepathlon for high school students each spring, and Keys rose to track and field stardom partly through those events, which he started competing in in eighth grade.
This year Sweet Home seventh-grader Noah Dinsfriend completed all 10 events.
Allen said the camp is intended to develop local talent – at all levels.
“The primary focus for most kids is to continue on the experience they’ve gained in junior high or high school,” he said. “And for those who have done other sports and want to try something different, this is their chance. Also, for kids who already do track, this is a chance to try other events.
“And having Dakotah there, who comes from the Pac-12 and the multi-event perspective, he’s going to help us.”
Participants will get instruction in sprints, hurdles, jumps, pole vault, throwing events and middle distance. They will be encouraged to participate in the open track and field competitions hosted by the Oregon Track Club at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field on Thursday evenings.
Cost is $40 plus participation in a fund-raising activity. The cost includes the camp, a competition singlet and transportation, as necessary, to and from Hayward Field.
For more information or to sign up, contact Allen at (541) 990-4453.
“We want to use this as a training ground, a development pool for the the junior high and grade school athletes who might do track some day. For us, this is our Little League.
“Our primary focus is improvement. The motto of the Olympics is exactly what we’re doing – Further, Faster, Higher. Nothing more.
“We’re not necessarily trying to develop champions. Every day we’re going to work to improve each person for that moment.”