• Article Photo. Coaches and volunteers removed water from the track before the co-ed District track meet.
    Coaches and volunteers removed water from the track before the co-ed District track meet.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Before area athletes could qualify for State at the District track meet, crews removed water.
    Before area athletes could qualify for State at the District track meet, crews removed water.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.

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.