PHOTO OF THE DAY: ULMER ON TRACK

For Ellyana Ulmer, the 2024 track and field season will be one to remember in multiple ways.

It’s the last in which the junior was able to compete side-by-side with good friend and Menno High School graduate Ashton Massey.

It’s a season in which she set a new school record in the 1600, breaking the 31-year-old mark held by Cherie Amba, who clocked a 5:39.42 in 1993. Ulmer ran a 5:27.70 at last week’s Cornbelt Conference meet hosted by Menno.

It’s also a season in which Ulmer and Massey both broke the school record in the 800, which happened in Alexandria just this past Monday. Ulmer ran a 2:26.78 while Massey clocked a 2:22.44. The old record of 2:27.28 was set by Morgan Edelman in 2021.

And it’s one in which Ulmer was also part of two relay teams doing head-turning things. The medley relay squad that also includes Maggie Miller, Kaelie Derby and Massey set the Cornbelt Conference record with a 4:29.42, breaking a record held by Bridgewater since 1988, and the 4×800 relay team set the school record last year and then again at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays earlier this month.

But the spring of 2024 will also be memorable because of what Ulmer is doing outside of her own world of track and field — organizing and hosting a youth track meet for children in the Menno and surrounding communities. The event is open to children ages 3 to 5 and in grades K-5 and will be held this Sunday, May 19 starting at 3 p.m. at the Jim Woehl Track Complex in Menno.

“This is something that Ashton started last year and, just watching it, it was obviously a lot of fun,” said Ulmer, who like Ashton is doing this for her senior project. “It was great to see little kids learn how the events work, and I’ve always loved track, so …”

Ulmer said on Tuesday that she had more than 70 youngsters registered — mainly from the Menno and Freeman communities — and will be accepting more yet this week. And, she said, those who want to take part who did not preregister can just show up on Sunday and they’ll find them a spot.

There is no entry fee and events will include the softball throw, 50-meter dash (ages 3-5 and kindergarten only), the 50-meter mini hurdles, the 100- and 200-meter dash, 400- and 800-meter run and the 4×100 relay. Batons will be provided and the relay teams will be set at the event.

Ribbons will be awarded for the top three place-winners in all events. Concessions will be available the day of the meet.

There will also be two adult events — the 200-meter dash and the 800-meter run — and Ulmer is hoping to see good participation, especially from her coaches.

And while Ulmer will be the greeter and overseer of all the events, she is getting help from her coaches and teammates, and she’s most excited to watch the younger kids in the running events.

“They’re so much fun to watch,” she says. “I think everybody is going to have a good time.”