Commission awards $500 to Gerard Warriors track club bound for Junior Olympics

The Crawford County Commission approved a $500 contribution to the Gerard Warriors track club to help cover travel expenses for athletes and volunteer coaches traveling to the Junior Olympics in Houston. The request came during the commission’s new-business segment when club head coach Nate Clemons updated commissioners on recent regional results. Why it matters: The club said 39 athletes competed at the Springfield regional meet and 26 qualified for Junior Olympics; a majority of those athletes are from Crawford County schools. Coaches with the club are volunteers, the coach said, and the requested funds would help pay travel and related expenses for athletes and volunteer staff. Nate Clemons, identified in the meeting as the Gerard Warriors head track coach, listed athletes and coaches and described team performance: “We had 39 kids compete from our club at Springfield, and 26 of those kids qualified for Junior Olympics this year,” Clemons said. He said 26 of the 39 competitors are Crawford County students and described relay teams and individual competitors who are nationally ranked for their age groups. Commission discussion was brief and supportive. A commissioner moved to provide $500 for the trip; the motion was seconded and carried. Commissioners encouraged the club to return after the competition with results.