What is Waza TC?     Register

Track Meets:

• AAU Summer Series

Summer 2008 Schedule:

Notes: Meet time commitments will vary significantly depending on age and number of races athlete will participate in.

*24062 Taft Road, Novi, MI (SE of 10 Mile and Taft Roads - Track is SE of the school)

Waza FC Hall of Fame:

For those of you that know Lindsay Clark, she qualified for the Division I High School State Track meet this year as a Freshman.  She ran a 5:08 mile at the State meet on Saturday, finishing 7th, and earning All-State honors.  Lindsay was one of Waza TC's first runners 2 years ago.  Way to go Lindsay!

Success Story:

1. Waza had another impressive performance at one of the top meets in the Region.  In what is regarded as THE meet in the State of Michigan leading up to the State Championships next weekend, Waza's 10 competitors earned 13 medals.

• Melanie McDowell (Primary 800m) and the Midget Girls 4 x 400m relay team consisting of Megan Krings, Emily Pappenheim, Westy Westenberg, and Conner Huggins earned gold medals.

• Zach Westenberg earned a Silver medal in the Bantam 1500m run and a Bronze medal in the Primary 800m run.

• Margaux Canup earned a Silver medal in the Intermediate Girls 100m hurdles.

• Allison McDowell earned a Silver medal in the 1500m run.

• The girls Midget 4 x 800m relay team consisting of Allison McDowell, Megan Krings, Gabby Wink, and Conner Huggins earned a Silver medal.

2. When Waza TC signed up for back-to-back track meets over Memorial Day weekend, we knew that it would be challenging. We competed against some of the top runners in the region with over 250 athletes competing at the Pacesetters meet in Toledo, and over 600 kids competing in the Detroit Jets meet the following day. Both meets were attended by serious track teams from throughout the Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio area and the competition was stiff.

Due to soccer conflicts, Waza TCs participation in the meets was somewhat light. 7 runners competed in the 2008 N.W.O. Pacesetters 2nd Annual Youth Invitational Track and Field Meet on May 25, 2008, in Toledo, OH. On May 26, 2008, 6 runners competed in the Detroit Jets Invitational Track Meet in Detroit, MI .

However, the team's performance was stellar. Over the course of the weekend, Waza came home with 17 medals and 5 ribbons!

Some highlights:

• Allie McDowell - Toledo - 3rd 800m, 2nd 1500m ; Detroit - 6th 800m, 1st 1500m

• Brandi Kroll - Detroit - 5th 100m

• Conner Huggins - Toledo - 2nd 100m, 6th 400m ; Detroit - 4th 400m

• Ebone' Ashford-Huggins - Toledo - 5th 100m, 5th 400m

• Megan Krings - Toledo - 3rd 1500m, 4th 800m

• Melanie McDowell - Toledo - 2nd 800m ; Detroit - 6th 400m, 3rd 800m

• Westy Westenberg - Toledo - 3rd 800m

• Zach Westenberg - Toledo - 2nd 800m, 5th 400m

• Girls Bantam 4 x 400m Relay - Toledo - 1st

Waza TC's consistent participants continue to achieve personal records in their events as they prepare for the State of Michigan District Championship Meet on June 26 - 27.

2. Waza's performance at the Michigan AAU Indoor State Championship meet on March 22, 2008, was outstanding.

With 18 participants, our athlete's earned 15 medals (1st - 3rd place) and 15 ribbons (4th - 6th). Our kids either established (1st time running) or set (improved previous best) 25 Personal Records (PRs).

Highlights:

• State Champion Zach Westenberg earned a gold medal in the Primary Boys 800m with a new PR greater than 10 seconds faster than his previous best. He also placed 5th in the 400m.

• The newly formed Primary Girls 4 x 200m relay team of Melanie McDowell, Shilpa Pindolia, Sushmitha Madaboosi, and Alex Lividini earned gold medals.

• Allison McDowell earned silver medals in the Midget Girls 800m and 1600m races. Her 1600m time was a new PR with a 20 second improvement over her previous best.

• Shane Carpenter earned a silver medal in the Bantam Boys 1600m with a new PR which was a 33 second improvement over his previous best. He also earned a bronze medal in the 800m, and earned 4th place ribbons in the 400m and as part of the Boys "Youth" 2 x 400m relay.

• Melanie McDowell earned a silver medal in the Primary Girls 800m run with a new PR. She also placed 5th in the 400m.

• The Girls Bantam team consisting of Jessica Smith, Kylie Steskal, Westy Westenberg, and Jessica Wagner earned bronze medals in the 4 x 200m relay.

• Gavin Wink earned a bronze medal in the Primary Boys 800m.

• Liia Carpenter, Sachin Pindolia, Shantanu Madaboosi, Gabby Wink, Westy Westenberg, Jessica Wagner, Melanie McDowell, and Sushmitha Madaboosi earned ribbons in other events.

• Shilpa Pindolia advanced to the Finals of the Primary Girls 60m Dash in her first track meet.

• Many of our kids improved their times by substantial margins.

Coach Doug

What is Waza TC? 

Waza Track Club was formed to provide youth and high school athletes (ages 7 – 18) with an interest in track and field the opportunity to participate in AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) events in a club environment.  It also provides Waza FC soccer players the opportunity to cross-train in track and to develop their speed, agility, and conditioning.

What is AAU?

The AAU is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, youth sport organizations in the United States. A multi-sport, event-driven organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports program.

Waza TC is Level 1 AAU Club Member.

How do I get my kids involved?

Register with AAU, fill out the accompanying form, and get it to Doug McDowell.  Encourage other kids in your athlete’s age group to participate so that Waza will be well represented in area meets.  Waza TC is not restricted to Waza FC participants.  All kids with an interest in Track and Field are welcome.

What does it cost?

For the 2007 – 2008 Indoor Season, the cost is $100 to Waza FC.  This cost covers the clubs AAU membership, insurance, facility rental, coaching, training equipment, and a T-shirt. 

In addition, there are some other costs that participants will incur related directly to AAU.  To participate in AAU sanctioned events, your athlete must register with AAU ($12 or $14 depending on your insurance needs).  There is also a fee charged at each meet that each person must pay to enter the meet facility. (Typically $5 - $10 per meet.)

The T-shirt must be worn at all AAU sanctioned events.  Athletes will need running shoes and running shorts for practices and meets.  If desired, you may consider purchasing track spikes.

Waza TC will provide equipment such as starting blocks, a shot put, and relay batons for training.

Workout Guideline:

When/where are the meets?

See Doug McDowell for information – doug.mcdowell@mcdowasc.com

Outdoor – The Michigan AAU outdoor schedule is being developed. Meets are usually held at high school facilities throughout Southeast Michigan. When available, the schedule will be published here.

We will be participating in the AAU Outdoor season this spring. The season for the club will focus towards the District Championship meet in June. The top 6 finishers in each race at District will qualify for advancement to the AAU National Championship Meet which will be held in the Detroit area this year.

This National AAU event is also known as the Junior Olympics and will include a number of competitions in addition to track and field. The track and field portion of the Junior Olympics is currently scheduled for July 28 – August 2, 2008. Our kids can compete for a national championship in their back yard.

Who are the coaches?

• Doug McDowell (586) 291-2645

• Dan Trosper (734) 377-9213

How do I register with AAU and get an AAU Membership ID?

Any athlete that participates in an AAU sanctioned event is required to be an AAU member.  In order to become an AAU member (and obtain the ID):

1. Log on to the AAU website at www.aausports.org

2. Click on - AAU homepage

3. Click on - JOIN AAU (top left portion of page in orange)

4. Click "Join Now" at Athlete category

5. Fill out the form for each athlete

6. Program - Youth

7. Membership Term - Your choice (I chose the $12 one)

8. Sport - Athletic

9. Club Name - Waza TC

10. Club Code - MIAT7B6KA8

11. If paying with Credit Card, you can get your athlete’s AAU card off of the website and print it.  The card should accompany the athlete to all events.

12. Fill out Waza TC Data Form and provide it and check to Waza FC to Doug McDowell.

What if there is a track meet conflict with a soccer game?

Waza TC is intended to enhance the Waza experience, not compete with it.  With the exception of relay races, track is largely an individual competition.  The AAU track meet schedules are made independent of soccer schedules.  If your athlete is on a Waza soccer team, the priority for participation should be on soccer.