Sports : Mother Nature affects track season again; but this time, meet is merely delayed

Coaches and volunteers removed water from the track before the co-ed District track meet.

Before area athletes could qualify for State at the District track meet, crews removed water.

After cold weather and snow delayed the Vinton-Shellsburg track teams from their outside workouts (with the exception of the day the athletes had to shovel the track), the rainy weather cancelled a few other meets.

Weather was no friend for VS track teams on Thursday, either. A heavy rain delayed the district track meet one hour. But before the running events could begin, coaches -- aided by equipment and manpower from McDowell's and owner Larry Druschel -- had to remove water from the track. Larry used a large blower to remove water while another of his employees used a leaf blower. Coaches and other volunteers used brooms or squeegies to prepare the track as well as the high jump area, for events.

By 5 p.m. the rain had stopped; there was even a bit of sunshine for a while.