The Caldwell County High School track program didn’t just stop with getting a new track surface.
Caldwell track will have its first wheelchair racer this spring and is in the process of getting a laser timing system for home meets.
Members of Princeton Elks Lodge #1115 were at an organizational meeting for the Caldwell County track team on Monday in the Fine Arts Theatre at CCHS to present a check to the program — and to unveil a racing wheelchair for eighth grader Kyndle Mahaffey.
Mahaffey, who was born with Myelomeningocele Spina Bifida, will be able to compete in the Adapted 100-meter wheelchair competition using the special racing wheelchair.
The Princeton Kiwanis Club also donated toward the racing wheelchair.
Meanwhile, the new timing system for the track program will cost around $15,000.
The Elks donated a $5,000 check at Monday’s meeting.
Caldwell County track coach Steve Shaw noted during the meeting that he has three home meets scheduled for the upcoming season. Those will be the first home meets for the local squad in over a decade.
Caldwell had to stop hosting meets when its track surface deteriorated to the point that the program was not comfortable holding competitions. That resulted in the Tigers and Lady Tigers going on the road for all of their track meets.
However, a new track surface was installed in August, paving the way for home meets again this spring.
