Chaffin Middle School’s track and field season has begun! The first track meet of this year’s Northwest Arkansas conference was held at Southside High School on March 6th, 2023.

This track season is the River Valley schools’ first year in the Northwest Arkansas conference. 

The season will last from March 6th-April 12th (not including the NWAAC Conference Meet.)

When asked how she thinks Chaffin’s track and field will do this year, 8th grade Chaffin Middle School student and track team member Summer Harrison stated, “I think we will do pretty good. Last year we were among the top schools, but this year we have to compete against Northwest Arkansas schools. The Northwest schools are hard to beat, and are pretty good.” 

Chaffin was unable to take home any 1st place awards from the first track meet, but at least four members managed to qualify for the top 50 in Arkansas for their events.

Some events that occur at track meets are the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 400 meter dash, 4×100 meter relay, 4×200 meter relay, 4×400 meter relay, 100 meter hurdles, 300 meter hurdles, long jump, high jump, and pole vaulting. 

When asked about the first track meet, 8th grade Chaffin student and track team member Samuel “Layden” Rowe said, “The first track meet was pretty good and went well. All the boys in the relays placed 7th. Our highest for the 100 meter was 12th place.”

The closest Chaffin got to 1st place for 8th grade was 5th place on the 8th grade girls’ 4×200 meter relay. The track members and staff such as 8th grade girls’ track and field coach Blake Branham “hope to see us come anywhere in the top 4 in the conference.”