California Lions Club celebrates 34th annual track meet

Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — A student from St. Martins Catholic School competes Friday (May 5, 2023,) in the fourth-grade girls' long jump at the 34th annual Lions Club Track and Field Meet at California High School.
Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — A student from St. Martins Catholic School competes Friday (May 5, 2023,) in the fourth-grade girls' long jump at the 34th annual Lions Club Track and Field Meet at California High School.

The California Lions Club awarded 54 medals to students across Moniteau County during its 34th Annual Lions Club Track Meet on Friday.

According to organizer Dr. Don Vanderfeltz, 10 different schools arrived at Riley Field for a day of fun, games and treats. Around 750 students, divided into boys and girls teams, participated in the track meet's 50, 100 and 200-meter dash, ball throw, long jump and the relay race.

"It ends up being five medals in all of those (categories) and then we give out five places or trophies for the team awards," Vanderfeltz said. "We only have trophies for first through third and then, of course, the Sportsmanship Award for sportsmanship and that was given to Jamestown this past year."

Officials divided California students into teams from smaller schools to even out the playing field.

"Tipton comes as three classrooms, three schools and then California comes as five schools to even it out," 'Vanderfeltz said. "It's not quite fair for a school like Latham with 25 kids or 20 kids and playing against California. So we make them come as individuals as each class."

Regardless, the team from California Middle School still won the track meet. Vanderfeltz said California won first place, St. Martin's won second place, St. Joseph Pilot Grove won third place, Tipton won fourth place and Otterville won fifth place.

Schools participating in this event came from California, Tipton, Jamestown, Clarksburg, High Point, Latham, Prairie Home, St. Joseph Pilot Grove, Otterville, St. Andrews Catholic School and St. Martins. Home-schooled and special needs students also appeared at the track meet.

Lions Club President Sarah Jones said total attendance came out about 900. This includes parents, grandparents, teachers, sponsors and bus drivers combined with the students participating in the event.

Jones said the financial goal for the track meet is to pay for medals and awards for students as well as donations. Although the Lions Club doesn't have an exact number of funds from the track meet, the organization will donate money back to California school's swim team and track team.

photo Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — An Otterville student tosses a softball Friday (May 5, 2023,) during the fifth-grade girls' softball throw at the 34th annual Lions Club Track and Field Meet at California High School.
photo Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — A California student launches a softball Friday (May 5, 2023,) during the fifth-grade boys' softball throw at the 34th annual Lions Club Track and Field Meet at California High School.
photo Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — Sixth-grade boys race off the 50-meter dash starting line Friday (May 5, 2023,) during the 34th annual Lions Club Track and Field Meet at California High School.
photo Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — Sixth-grade boys sprint for the 50-meter dash finish line Friday (May 5, 2023,) during the 34th annual Lions Club Track and Field Meet at California High School.
photo Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — A large crowd is gathered Friday (May 5, 2023,) at California High School's Riley Field for the 34th annual Lions Club Track and Field Meet.