Massena to launch running club, spring track for modified level; winter cheerleading program canceled

By Andy Gardner

The Massena Central school board at their Nov. 15 meeting approved a high school running club and spring modified track program.

Meanwhile, the board voted to call off the winter cheerleading program due to lack of participation.

The running club was pitched at their October meeting. Track Coach Dak Zaza suggested the idea and said it is aimed at giving seventh- and eighth-graders a chance to participate in both field events and running.

As it is now, modified winter track is just running.

“A big downside of our current system or status, seventh and eighth graders run indoor, they get a taste of it, they like it, there’s nothing in the spring for them,” Zaza said.

Under the new system, they will still be able to run indoors during the winter under the running club. In the spring, they will now be able to use the track and field facilities at the high school.

“It will build a better connection between our varsity and modified athletes,” Zaza told the board.

The board later in the meeting during their monthly personnel actions voted to approve Zaza as the running club volunteer advisor.

In other news, the board at the same meeting voted to cancel the winter cheerleading program.

Superintendent Patrick Brady cited lower-than-usual participation numbers.

He said there will be no team until the fall “at which time participation will be re-evaluated.”

The board as part of their personnel actions voted to rescind the appointment of Head Coach Sandra Brault and volunteers Tommi Jo Villnave, Emme Brault and Jenna Brault.

There was a cheerleading program in the fall of this year with a dozen or so participants.