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Volume 48, Number 15
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W I N S TO N - S A L E M , N . C .
THURSDAY, December 16, 2021
Cook Elementary forms running team, instills confidence
BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY THE CHRONICLE
Sports can play a pivotal role in a child’s life. For the athletes on Cook Elementary School’s running team, it is setting the foundation for better things to come. The idea for the running team at Cook came from their physical education teacher Annette Kozlowski. Kozlowski says last year she and some of her female students competed in a Girls on the Run event, but wanted to include the young men this year and that’s how she came across the Go Far 5k runs. Go Far is a training program that helps prepare kids for 5k runs. Go Far’s training program also includes character building lessons that allow the kids to discuss how good character translates into qualities of a good runner, good The students trained for 10 weeks in preparation for the race. student, and a good person. “I just happened to be mation and talked to all the on Nov. 13. Jackson Gib- kids that have never ran. at a workshop and Go Far parents. The parents were son, Di’Misha Watson, Out of the kids, there was was there advertising and so supportive, so that was Khy’Ree Cox, Freddy only one girl that ran last Maneo, Aaron Martin, year that ran this year. So they let boys run in the good.” To prepare for the race, Curtisie Dawkins, Ga- she kind of knew what to program, so that’s why we did Go Far in High Point,” the students practiced two brielle Robinson, Dream expect, but the other ones days a week for 10 weeks. Roundtree, Nariah Mc- kind of went in blind, so said Kozlowski. The idea of running a Every Monday and Tues- Crae, Reginald Kelley and there was a lot of nerves 5k race was not a big hit day the runners would hit MaRiya Nelson were the going into it.” The kids wanted to when Kozlowski initially the track from 3:15 p.m. to students who competed on introduced the idea to the 5 p.m. to get ready. Every race day. Kozlowski says stay together and run as week, Kozlowski saw en- she was proud of each and a group, but Kozlowski kids at the school. “At first they were a durance growth in all her every one of her students told them that the race was for how well they per- about them and she wanted little apprehensive, be- runners. “It was remarkable,” formed. everyone to go out and do cause we did a Girls on the “When they got on the their best. Run last year, but the boys Kozlowski said about the “I told them from the were not involved, so the growth her runners dis- bus, they were nervous and boys and girls were a little played. “We have a track excited, but they ate their get-go that everyone has apprehensive practicing out back and the first day snack and they calmed different goals on race together,” she said. “But most of them could not run down,” she said about the day,” she said. “You can once they started practice one lap and by race day students before the race. start off with your friends, and could see it was cool a couple of them ran the “Before we got off the but this is about you and to be on the same team and whole race without walk- bus, I just reminded them what you can do. They that they were represent- started off together and have the same goals, then ing. “Also, most of them ing Cook and that they then they gradually spread they bought right into it. “Practice consisted also beat their PR (person- have done all the training out throughout the race.” This race not only of running games, so half al record) practice time in and don’t let all the people freak them out. included kids, but also the time they didn’t even the race as well.” There were 11 run“There were almost adults. Fifth grade student know they were training. So, the response was good ners total who competed 800 people that ran. It was Freddie Maneo finished once they had all the infor- in the race in High Point a big race, especially for 143 out of 768 competi-
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tors, which brought Kozlowski a lot of joy. “I guess he would not consider himself a runner and going into it I probably wouldn’t think he would be the one, but as the weeks went on and on, his stamina just built with his endurance and confidence,” Kozlowski continued. “He had an amazing race and I think he was pretty blown away with how he did and where he finished.” Kozlowski was such a nervous wreck that she didn’t sleep much the night before the race. “It really was such a proud moment just seeing these kids go through what they have to go through sometimes and putting it all behind them and getting out on race day with all these other kids from all these other cities and representing Cook and putting
their training into effect and having their best race ever,” she went on to say. “I felt like a proud mom to be honest with you.” Following the race, the kids were “overjoyed with excitement,” Kozlowski said. “The group hung out together to celebrate their hard work after the race. With such a great finish, Kozlowski says they are attempting to coordinate a 5k race at Cook sometime in the spring for the entire community to participate in. Kozlowski has noticed some positive changes in the students on the team and hopes that continues beyond this year. “I think that I have definitely seen a change in every one of them as far as their leadership in school, grades, and confidence,” she said. “It has done nothing but positives for them as far as confidence and their leadership skills in the classroom. The kids were also proud to be a part of the running team. “I thought it would be fun and I like running track,” said Gabrielle Robinson about why she decided to join the team. MaRiya Nelson says it was exciting and nervous to get out there and run with all the people during the race. Freddy Maneo says he was scared and nervous, but once he got out there on the course, he was ready to run. Kozlowski wanted to give a special thank you to Kathy Jacobs, her assistant coach, Denise McCoy, and Cook Elementary Principal Celena Tribby for all of their assistance with the running team.
Sports’ fans mourn the loss of well-known Wake fan Police continue investigation into hit-and-run tragedy
THE CHRONICLE
If you know me, then you know I’m a huge Duke basketball fan and I’m willing to argue with anyone, anywhere, about
who’s the best in college basketball. Some of my most enjoyable debates occurred at the light near the corner of University Pkwy. and Deacon Blvd., with Mr. Gregory Slade. Slade, who is known throughout the community as “The Pointer” for the way he greeted passing cars while selling newspapers near Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, is one of the biggest Wake Forest fans I’ve ever met. Plenty of times our debates were interrupted by someone behind me at the light blowing their horn because the light had turned green. If you asked, Slade could tell you the
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Gregory Slade with his nieces during a Wake Forest Basketball game.
names of incoming players and whatever else you wanted to know about Demon Deacon basketball. TyKeia Slade, Slade’s niece, said her uncle has always been a Wake fan. She said when her daughter was only four months old, Slade took her to her first basketball game. “As long as I can remember, he has always been a Wake fan. He always talked about the games, the people, and everybody that showed him love,” she said. “I was just looking at the pictures from when he took my daughter to her first game. I think it was in December of 2017. He was so excited to show ev-
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erybody his newest niece.” Slade’s love for Demon Deacons didn’t just stop with the men’s basketball team. He showed the same love and passion for the women’s team, football, soccer, baseball, tennis, and even field hockey. And if you ever saw Slade at work, I’m sure you remember him. His perfectly-timed points that followed the rhythm of the music he was dancing to that day and his upbeat personality made him a legend here in WinstonSalem. Tragically, on Saturday, Dec. 11, police reSee Slade on A8 6 89076 32439 7
BY TEVIN STINSON