' ROO  RATS 

The team consisted of  inexperienced kids that liked to run. The group meshed well and friendships quickly grew. But, we were a team without a mascot or team colors. The team members were asked to come up with a mascot to represent them and colors for their uniforms. It was only asked that they choose a mascot that was unique to our area. As the first team, they were given the privilege of choosing these key team identifiers for future team members. Several mascots were presented from the team. They included a bear, mountain lion, fox, kangaroo rat and even the banded snail; all endangered spices from our area. The kangaroo rat won out as our mascot and the team chose royal blue for uniform  T-shirts and black running shots. It was my friend and assistant coach, Mike Lansdon, that shortened the team name to 'Roo Rats and that name was adopted. In 1999, I asked Jimmie Laurie, one of my sons friends, to draw a running Kangaroo Rat with attitude. After a couple of touch-ups, our current 'Roo Rat logo was born. This logo now occupies our Track & Field and Cross Country Pins and can be seen on the singlets or our younger team members.

As Cross Country rolled into Track & Field season, the team showed steady improvement and running became a part of their lives. As they entered High School (Morro Bay HS), they also went out for Cross Country and Track. Many members of the first team went on to college and some were very successful in their athletic lives. In 2001, the Morro Bay High School Boys Cross Country team placed 3rd and the Girls team placed 4th in the CIF Southern Section Cross Country Championships. Of those teams, 3 boys and 4 girls were former 'Roo Rats. Here is a list of the first team members and their athletic accomplishments:

Bryant Barodte - First 'Roo Rat along with Jimmie Laurie. Local fun runs.

Andy Brown - Morro Bay High School Cross Country and Track teams

Colin Donohoo - Morro Bay High School Cross Country and Track teams

Amanda Holland - Morro Bay High School Tennis team

Bristin Jones - Morro Bay HS XC and Track teams. Stanford U. Triathlon team (4th  for women's Stanford U. team at National Collegiate Triathlon Championships 2005)

Bryan Rayburn - Morro Bay HS XC and Track teams. [CIF Southern Section 1600m Champion 2002 (4:11)]

Christina Reyes - Cuesta College Cross Country and Track teams.

Jessica Reyes - Cuesta College Softball and Cross Country teams

Rebecca Reyes - Cuesta College Cross Country team (2005)

Tom Turner - Morro Bay HS XC teams. Running scholarship to Boston U. (2002)

Divna Wheelwright - San Luis Obispo HS Cross Country team

Liz Wilt - Morro Bay HS Cross Country and Track teams.

Adam Yeo - Morro Bay High School Cross Country team.

The team was originally formed to stir interest in middle distance running with the freedom to experiment in shorter races and field events during track and field. The local schools did not offer these sports and it was hoped that a coached youth program would open up the world of running to our children. The program was first associated with the Youth Activities Program (YAP) of Los Osos, as a community sponsored program. When the YAP lost its funding, we were without a home. Turning to the local San Luis Distance Club, of which I was a member, based in San Luis Obispo, Ca., the adult running club, established in 1974 by Brian Waterbury and Stan Rosenfeld, was approached and they adopted the youth program in the fall of 2000.

As the years have gone by, the team swelled to 49 members and a couple more assistant coaches. In the 2004 Track season, the team went back to it's original intention of middle distance events only.  Children from age 10 to 14 are coached in distances ranging from 800m to 5K. It is our philosophy that children in this age group should not be trained for or compete in any races over 4 miles. The team trains nearly year round with breaks between track and cross country and cross country and track seasons. Training consists of learning proper warm-up with active stretching; strengthening exercises, running drills; core workout; cool-down and a stretching routine. Nutrition and a balanced life style are also stressed. The team meets twice per week for practice and workouts are assigned according to the child's fitness level. At the end of each season, there is a Team Recognition in which a certificate of achievement, individual trophies, team pins, season team patches and team hats are awarded to the children for their efforts and team spirit. First season members also receive a stuffed toy animal 'Roo Rat.

Please enjoy our site and the many links.

Jim Barodte, Youth Coach

San Luis Distance Club

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