 |  |
Owls swimmers participate in 14th annual "Turkey Trot"
KEEEN, N.H. 11/17/09 - All-New England and All-Little East athletes in the pool, Keene State swimmers showed they can also strut pretty well on land, participating in the Symonds School 14th Annual "Turkey Trot" on Tuesday afternoon.
During the past six weeks, Owl swimmers have been getting the students in third-fifth grades ready for the event as part of the school's healthy bodies healthy hearts program, which includes a variety of physical activities and games.
"It's been a lot of fun to work with different age levels," said Jillian Whitaker, a sophomore from Gilford, N.H. "I'm an elementary education major, so it gives me more experience in the field."
"The kids really seem to enjoy it," said DJ Collis, a junior from Laconia, N.H. "They come in yelling and screaming and all excited."
The Turkey Trot has evolved over the years. Initially an exercise that encouraged students to be healthy and active, it has grown into a community event that includes donations for the Community Kitchen and raffle prizes for the participants. Over 500 people, including students, teachers, staff, family and friends ran, jogged, and walked around the Symonds School path on Tuesday.
Pam Lawton, a physical education teacher at the school and a recent KSC grad says the connection between the Owl swimmers and the young students is one of the key elements of the program. "The students form a special bond with the Keene State athletes," said Lawton. "They look forward to them coming every day and really make a strong connection."
