The Wagner Rotary Club was brought to order by an enthusiastic ring of the bell from President Jerry Weber on April 10th. Rotarian Laurie Kidd offered up a blessing for the meal and protection from the coming winter storm for all individuals and livestock. Laurie went right to the piano to lead the singing with the Birthday Song for Rotarians Rachel Doom and Gerrit Juffer. That song was followed by a rousing rendition of Home on the Range. We do so much better singing when Laurie provides the piano accompaniment.

Guest Matt Slaba was asked to pull out a ticket for the Queen of Hearts drawing. He drew Jeff Doom’s ticket and Jeff only drew a 2 of Clubs after assuring everyone that he was going to win the big prize. He settled for winning $1 from his scratch lottery ticket that is given to every loser of the drawing. The Queen of Hearts drawing continues to grow with $18 collected for the day bringing the total to $526.00

Secretary/Treasurer Patty Frei reported that for the second week of the fourth and final quarter that the Henke and Frei attendance teams had 2 and 3 misses respectively; and the totals were 5 misses for each team. Next week will be steak week with no program. The Rotary Scholars Luncheon will be on May 1st at the Wagner Theatre.

Program Chairman Jeff Doom introduced Matt Slaba, Wagner Community Middle School Teacher and Assistant Track Coach for the boys and girls as his program. Head Track Coach Joe Kafka was unable to present the program and Matt informed the group that this will be Joe’s last season of coaching as he has resigned this position. Pat Belling, also a teacher at WCS will be assuming the Head Track Coaching position next year. The track teams have two assistant coaches and the coaches divide up the different events and students among themselves.

Mr. Slaba reported that they have 110 kids from Grades 6-12 out for track this year. They have only had three track meets so far as the weather has not been conducive to outside sports this spring. Jaden Peters has set a record in pole vaulting of 13 feet which qualifies him for competition at the State Track Meet the end of May. Two girls have also qualified for the State track meet. Qualification happens when a participant qualifies in either time or distance specifications.

Slaba passed out record sheets compiled by Howard Bich and Walt Nedved which the two former coaches named the Wagner Girls Track Honor Roll. It included the years 1970 to 2017 and listed the top 8 places in each track and field event. There is also a record board in the school gymnasium listing the top record winners in these events. It can be viewed above the double doors going into the gym. Rotarian Brunsing found her name on the High Jump list where she was listed in 6th place with a 5-foot jump in 1983.

Mr. Slaba finished the program by saying that he believes track to be a unique sport. Everybody isn’t a runner and there are several events to chose from. The goal in track is the same as every sport, you always try to be better. He believes the uniqueness of track can be gauged by the fact that every event is measured whether it be time or distance. Everyone has a mark to go by to try to improve on every day. Several questions and comments were given concerning the right kind of track shoes, injuries incurred, warming up, workouts, and other competition topics.

The club enjoyed hearing about this sporting event. The meeting was adjourned in our usual fashion.