Two boys dorms charged up the incline to the soccer field to play flag football. Meanwhile, a girl’s dorm stretched out at the cycling station before heading out to the course. Beyond them, at the softball diamond, the refrain of the American national anthem drifted over as two boys’ dorms sang patriotically before they played ball. But for 3G, this afternoon period was all about competing against themselves in individual track-and-field events.

In preparation for the July 21 track meet, track practice helps campers try out, choose and prepare for the 40-yard dash, long jump, javelin, discus and shot put. The meet will also include the mile, 400 meters, 100 meters and 4x100 relay running events. At the end of track practice, each camper chooses three events, including at least one track and one field event.

This year’s track staff was the largest it’s even been. Publishing staff member Steve Hercus, teaching 40-yard dash, headed up the team of Albert Clarke, Kaitlin Eames, James Lowry and Daryle Hochstetler. Having the additional helpers, “enables us to give a little more detailed instructions,” Hercus said.

The track staff added sprinting to the curriculum for the first time. Hercus observed that the skill applies to other pyc sports, including base running in softball and chasing down the ball in soccer. “It’s about getting their minds to engage the right muscles at the right time,” Hercus said.

At the 40-yard dash station, Hercus timed the girls as they made their first attempt, then demonstrated several sprinting training techniques, including skipping, running and even bursting out of the starting line strapped to a rope and dragging a tire behind. Seventeen-year-old Crystal flashed a big smile after crossing the finish line on her subsequent attempt, as Hercus exclaimed that she had shaved two seconds off her time using an improved technique.

“They improve every single day, and it’s so encouraging,” 3G counselor Chelsea Cocomise said. At one point, she tapped my arm and pointed to the 40-yard dash station where Rebecca, less than 5 feet tall, joyfully sprinted her heart out, trailing behind her a rope and a tumbling tire that was bigger than her.

Cocomise lit up as she talked about her “darling” dorm. “Each and every one them has such a sweet personality,” she said.

“They are a good group of girls,” assistant counselor Nicole Tremblay added. “I love them more and more every day.”

Next to us at the long jump station, instructor Kaitlin Eames taught campers how to find the proper distance for the run-up, how to jump from their dominant feet, and how to land. As the campers practiced their techniques, several used the running techniques they had just learned with Hercus.

At Daryle Hochstetler’s javelin station, 17-year-old Alina was enjoying her favorite track and field event. “Last year I hit myself in the head with it, and this year I did a lot better,” she said. Alina signed up to compete in the 16-to-18-year-old girls’ javelin event Monday night.

Albert Clarke showed the girls how to throw the discus, practicing the spins almost like they were a dance move. The girls hurled the discuses as far as they could as Clarke encouraged them and marked their distances.

At James Lowry’s shot put station, girls found the weight of the shot, which looked like a miniature cannon ball, a challenge. But they were eager, and they gave the field event several tries, trying to apply Lowry’s main piece of advice: push the ball at a 40-degree angle.

Clarke hit the horn of a car to signal the scattered groups to congregate under the tent. “Each person gets to help contribute to dorm score,” Hercus said, adding that even the difference between 17th and 18th place can impact which dorm comes out on top. After the girls signed up for their events, the staff handed out tickets to the girls who gave their best effort: Emma, Eleanor, Jeanine and Alexa. On Cocomise’s invitation, I joined in the dorm’s huddle, and on the count of three, we cheered: “Thanks for helping us improve track staff!”