2008 BINGHAM INDOOR TRACK
PURPOSE
Bingham Indoor Track exists in order to prepare our track and field athletes for championship outdoor performances. The Utah High School Activities Association does not recognize Indoor Track as an official sanctioned sport, so we compete on the "club" level although we have scheduled regional and state competitions. Very few schools have official indoor seasons . . . they are the ones that routinely challenge for the State Track and Field Championships in outdoor track.
PEOPLE
Bingham Indoor Track is open to girls and boys from 9th - 12th grades. Although no actual GPA requirement exists, most athletes who are dedicated enough to perform well in Indoor also have high GPAs. The athletes who prepare in Indoor are those who go on to score in outdoor track, represent Bingham in Invitational, Region, and State competition, and join the many who have obtained scholarships through track.
The coaching staff volunteers its time during the entire season. Those coaches determine what the specific needs are for their individual events and schedule practices accordingly. The coaches are specialists in their individual events and include Coach Arbogast in distance, Coach Beere in sprints and relays as well as jumps, Coach Symons in throws, and Coach Barnes in 400 & 800. In addition, Matt Haberman will assist in distance. Leisl Morris will assist as needed. Coach Coombs will do clinical work in hurdles and several camps and clinics will be offered in specific events.
PRACTICES
Practices are M-F from 5:30 to 6:30 am. Each event group will set up practices individually, but those event groups will practice in the morning to avoid the congestion and accidents in the hallways in the afternoon. Every athlete will be present in the cafeteria at exactly 5:30 am and the roll will be available for signing from 5:20-5:30am. At that time, the roll will be removed from the cafeteria and practice will start. The morning meeting will take 5 minutes or less and then we will work on our specific events. Roll is for Simplot & academic credit.
Generally, all events practice skills every other day and weights every other day, with Friday being a light day for all due to meets on Saturday, but specifics are determined by the event coaches.
Attendance is only mandatory for those athletes planning on attending the Simplot Games on February 14--16. Others are encouraged to attend daily but the amount of preparation gained will be proportional to the caliber of athlete they want to be. We will require 40 committed athletes to attend the Simplot Games as a team Attendance and athlete development level will be the two main factors used to determine traveling on this event. Coaches' decisions are final. Academic credit is also available to those missing no more than 2 practices.
FEES
Indoor Track is cheap, but not altogether free. The primary fee ($15) covers the Salt Lake County insurance and liability waiver, required by Bingham High. This is paid with a registration form and must be in the day after you join, but in all cases prior to January 4th. It is absolutely mandatory and takes the place of the regular participation fee that is required in outdoor track. It is the cheapest fee in the state (they generally range from $35-$50) and covers only the insurance and County processing fee. A box will be located at each practice from Jan. 2-4 in which to put your Country form and attached fee.
Also, there are small fees at each track meet. They are usually around $3-$5 and cover the entrance and as many events as you want to compete in. These fees are charged for building rentals, custodial care, awards, and equipment rental for the organizations (schools and universities) hosting the meets. . . NOT by Bingham High or the coaches.
Lastly, there is a fee for the USATF Card now required for the Simplot Games. No athlete will be admitted to the Games without it. They cost $20 and we purchase them through the Utah USATF organization online. These protect the Simplot Games from liability and provide additional travel insurance. They are not required unless you are attending the Simplot Games. You will only register online (coaches will give instructions) if you will be attending the Simplot Games. Online registration is completed by January 28th. No other meet requires this card . . . just the Salt Lake County team form and fee.
TRACK MEETS
Track Meets involve the following events: 55m (60y), 55m hurdles, 400m, 800m, 1600m, 3200m, 4x400, high jump, shot put, and pole vault. Also, depending on track construction, the 200, 4x200, and 4x800 may be held. Meet rules allow a maximum of 4 events per competitor, but our athletes will normally specialize in 2 or 3 max. Coaches will be there to assist at all meets. Meet dates are Saturdays from January 12th to February 16th. Meets usually start around 9:00 am and go for most of the day. We will have advanced schedules of meet times and you may come and go as you please. There are NO busses. See our website for the 2008 Indoor Meet Schedule.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation to meets is the responsibility of the athlete. Athletes will have to ride with parents or drive themselves. Vehicles will only transport the number of athletes equivalent to the number of seat belts in the vehicle.
SPECTATORS
The action in Indoor Track is quick and close. We encourage all parents and relatives to come and observe the meets. There are very few spectator restrictions as far as venturing close to the action, so it becomes one of the most spectator-friendly track venues. Some meets have a minimal spectator fee.
SIMPLOT GAMES
***** All Athletes! We must have 40 minimum athletes committed and paid for the Simplot Games in order to attend as a team! See additional page for detailed information!!! *****
It is obvious to all athletes and coaches that the primary draw of Indoor Track is the three-day trip to the Simplot Games. This is the world's largest indoor track meet and features athletes from 30+ states and several foreign countries. Bingham has historically done very well at this meet and has attended all but two of the years this meet has been held. Attendance at the Games will be determined by attendance at practice and competitive level of the athlete. We can take approximately 40-44 athletes, including all track disciplines. Simplot is definitely NOT a competitive "right" . . . it is a privilege afforded to those who are competitive enough to make our bus . . . the only way to go to Simplot. If you are not in our top 40-44 athletes, you should not be considering attending the world's most competitive meet. Deadlines, parent meeting dates, and other related Simplot info will be available at practice.
The cost for the Games will be approximately $60 for room, $62 for bus & tip, and $15-$25 for Registration. $30 for meals and $20 for a USATF Card are additional and not paid through the school. These are approximate and final charges will be sent home.
This meet is televised and meet reports are featured in Track & Field News. It is also a primary recruitment site for many NCAA coaches.
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We encourage all Bingham athletes to have fun with Indoor and to prepare for what promises to be a great outdoor track & field season.
To stay in touch with Bingham Indoor Track, use our web page at www.binghamxcountry-track.com, or email @ coacharb@binghamxcountry-track.com. Send us your email address for constant updates.

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