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Record broken one step at a time
May 11, 2009 at 5:46 am
By Story submitted
Pictured left - Fairbanks third grader Noah Eubanks is getting "all tied up" by Fairbanks High School senior Eli Morris. Eubanks broke Morris' elementary school walking club record this past week. Morris held the title for the past eight years at 82 miles. Eubanks now holds the school record at 103 miles.
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Fairbanks third grader logs 103 miles in walking club
Editor’s note: The following story is submitted by Scott Underwood.
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Records are made to be broken. At least that is what Noah Eubanks seems to think. Last week, Eubanks met his goal to be the new record holder for the Fairbanks Elementary School Walking Club.
At 103 miles, Eubanks surpassed Fairbanks High School senior Eli Morris’ 82- mile record set back in 2001. Morris was in fourth grade then and has held the foot record ever since.
Until third grade athlete Eubanks walked in.
The walking club was established in 1998 by physical education teacher Stephanie Fairchild. She gives her first, second, third and fourth graders the opportunity to walk or jog the circumference of the school playground during recesses. With each lap, the student receives a hole punch in their lap card. Fairchild encourages those students who wish to participate to complete four cards – equal to walking 20 miles. Beginning in the fall when school starts to the end of the walking club season the first of May, those students who reach twenty miles are rewarded with a field trip to a local park for fun, games and food.
“I’m thrilled that 65 students are going on the field trip this year.” Fairchild said. “Back when we began walking club, only 20 reached the 20-mile goal.”
Both Eubanks and Morris have enjoyed the benefits of the walking club.
“It’s fun and it’s safer than playing on the big equipment,” Eubanks claimed.
Eubanks enjoys the outdoors, gardening with his family and is a vintage car buff. He is the son of Rob and Lisa Eubanks of Milford Center.
Morris, a four-year letterman in FHS track and basketball, credits his continued interest and success in athletics to his elementary walking club experience. He is also a member of the school’s golf team and works at Darby Creek Golf Club.
“I remember being called the ‘walking kid’ after fourth grade. It helped me find my niche.” Morris said. The son of Larry and Regina Morris of Milford Center, he plans to attend Muskingum College upon graduation.
“And I’m proud of Noah for breaking my record,” Morris added.
Eubanks almost broke Morris’ record last year, needing only six more miles.
Both Mark Lotycz, Fairbanks Elementary principal and PE teacher Fairchild agree that playground unruliness has decreased with the walking club option. Safety has improved, discipline is better and Lotycz points out that he and his staff are able to promote physical wellness and making good healthy choices with walking club.
“It helps to encourage the students to consistently be part of a daily, healthy activity,” Fairchild said.
When asked if he will break his own 103-mile record next year, Eubanks confidently nodded and said, “we’ll see.”
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