Alameda Asteroids Host Cross Country Meet
The Alameda Asteroids, a middle school cross country club, hosted their final meet for the season on October 26 at Crab Cove. Eleven teams with 190 sixth, seventh and eighth grade boys and girls participated in four events. Girls and Boys 1.1 and 2.1 races.
The Asteroids club is an Alameda Education Foundation (AEF) fall enrichment program. This year, 33 students from Alameda public middle schools trained and competed together as a team, coached by Debra Cramer and Don Porteous. Cramer has a Level 1 coaching qualification with the USA Track & Field Association and Porteous brings a wealth of experience as the Encinal High School cross country coach.
For many middle schoolers, the cross country program is their first foray into sports. It enables them to discover new talents and perseverance and grow as athletes. It also enables middle schoolers to get a taste of competing on a regional level before they reach high school.
Students learn to challenge themselves, set goals, move out of their comfort zones and work hard towards a set goal. Many parents report that the students continue running after the season is over and that this experience gives them the confidence to take on other challenges in their athletic, academic, and social lives.
AEF Enrichment classes support students’ academic, emotional, and social growth in a wide array of areas, from art to athletics to STEM fields. For more information on the Alameda Asteroids click here.