2011 Track Season, Regional Meet

The Region 10 Meet (Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso make up Region 10) was held in Albuquerque this year. Andrew finished 6th in the long jump. I wish I had a picture of Bobby holding his flags in his lime green shirt. He volunteered to be trained as a USA Track and Field official for this occasion.



Austin and his relay team made it to the podium. We were so proud of them for finishing sixth, especially with one kiddo that had not run with them before. This picture makes me giggle every time I see it. Can you find Austin?






This was Andrew's heat of the 100 m dash in the regional meet. Is it just me, or do those other boys seem older than 12? : ) I hope Andrew is that big by next year! We saw that the guy in blue got third at nationals. We need to GROW some before next year!




I didn't really appreciate their aptitude for running when they were little, but now it's very fun to watch them run.

2011 Track Season, State Meet

The boys ran track again this year. They had a great season and loved it, as always. They have always loved to run.

Andrew was able to compete in Long Jump this year. I love this picture of him preparing to jump. He ended up as the New Mexico State Champ in his age division with a jump of 4.6 meters (like that means anything to any of us!)





Austin loves to run track but, as with most things, it's really all about the social time for him. Here he is with his best buddy Issac (center) and J. They are three of the four boys that ran the 4 X 100 relay together all year. Austin ran the anchor leg. They finished first in their age division at the state meet allowing them to qualify for the regional meet.



This picture is Austin qualifying for the finals in the 200. He finished third in both the 100 m dash and 200 m dash.







Andrew finished third in the 100 and 200 events as well. On to Regionals . . .

Monarchs

Andrew played his first year of tackle as well. In Yafl football they base the teams on the High School district that you live in. So Andrew was also a Monarch, but he was on a 5th grade team. His team has played together for three years now, so he was a little behind when the season started. Bobby ended up helping coach his team and that allowed him to help Andrew study the plays at home after practice. He had a great season and learned a lot.

He still loves most anything that involves running but he also got the chance to learn some new positions and even try out playing quarterback. I worry a little about his tender heart playing such a tough sport but that's just a mom talking. :)

Monarchs 2020

"I've been waiting for this day my whole life." - Austin on the morning of his first tackle football game.

This kid loves the game of football. We could argue that it is purely because of his father and the intense love that he has for the game. It's true that Bobby has been swaying them in that direction since they were born but I'm starting to think it might just be in their DNA. Austin will sit for hours at my parent's house watching old games on NFL network . . . who watches football games when you know who is going to win??

He loves running the ball but he gets really fired up and emotional when he's playing defense. He is a riot to watch. Austin really enjoyed his first season and can't wait for next year to begin.

My Runners

Well sports fans, it's track season here at the Erickson house. This is our second year to run track but our first year on a team. The boys have a great coach that has introduced them to more aspects of track and field than just the 100 meter dash which is all they were initially interested in doing.


This is Austin turning the corner of the 200 meter dash. He found his grove here and it might be his very best event. My little blonde squirt looks like an unlikely candidate for a sprinter but he is FAST!


I love this picture. These two are so close. We have spent a lot of time hanging out together at the track and learning the ropes . . . never forget your chairs, sunscreen, extra water, food, etc. Never think you will only be there for a few hours! It's an all day event people.

Scorchers

Austin has been playing soccer with the same group of boys since he was four. These crazy boys are all younger brothers and you know that makes them tough as nails. They are a little on the small side but they have made up for it in a desire to compete to win. None of them are especially gifted at soccer but what has been so fun to watch is their development in playing the game as a team. I think the fact that they have played together for so long has really helped them learn to pass the ball and work together.

It was sad to watch them play in their last tournament together last weekend. We will miss this group of "brothers" that Austin has enjoyed playing with so much.
(We have added a few boys and lost a few as well over the last few years. I can't believe I got a picture of the same seven boys, several years apart! Cute little munchkins!)