March 19, 2024

Coming full circle

Murray's new track provides athletic, educational experiences

MURRAY — The new track at Murray School District is going to mean many things to a lot of people, but first, it will show students can take something from the classroom and apply it to real-world knowledge.

"As a teacher, I often hear the question, 'When will we ever actually use this stuff?' And, it was great to have an opportunity to do just that," said Mindy Oswald, Murray High School math teacher.

Finding formulas

First, the land for the track was donated by the Hamer family. It is located north of the football field.

Then, students worked on a layout for the track based on internet research and information shared with them by Superintendent Alan Miller.

In the college algebra and calculus classes, students used the formula for circumference of a circle to come up with three possible plans for a 300-meter track of various lengths that they submitted to Miller.

The next week, both classes went to the track location and tried to utilize their plans. They found the proposed 300-meter track would not fit in the area available, so they worked together to create a track that would fit.

"I hope they learned a valuable application of what we have learned, as well as how to adjust plans when things don't always go exactly as expected," Oswald said.

Results

Finally, the plan was to have a 252-meter track with a straightaway on the south end. This will allow for hurdlers and sprinters to practice at the same time.

In preparation for the construction of the track, Bud Jones cleared out trees and did grading and fencing.

A storage building, long-jump pit, high-jump and shot put areas were installed.

Miller said the intention of the track was never to be for competition.

"You don't make money off the track meets. It's so expensive," he said. "We're using our money to be the most efficient."

The new track, which is comprised of crushed or recycled asphalt, will provide an outdoor place for the school's physical education classes, track and field day and a place for the community to walk.

Miller said he hopes this leads to students no longer running in the streets.

Lighted areas

Lights will also be on the back side of the football lights, to illuminate the area for practice. This means it will be a lighted area for air ambulances to land, which will provide a safer location for first responders.

"My goal is to see a tremendous amount of use for it — athletics, student body, community," Miller said.

This spring, there were approximately 60 students out for high school track at Murray and about half of that number in junior high.

Miller said he was appreciative from all the help from Jones, Oswald and track coach Keith Shields.

"It was imperative we get this done for our kids to have a safe environment to have a field to practice on," he said.

While the new track can be practiced on now, more work still has to be done for the finishing touches in the summer. They are waiting for hot weather to finish packing some areas.

School pride

Miller reflected on the excitement students have had for the new track.

"We're putting application into the real world," he said. "I'm really proud of them because those kids have ownership of it."