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Regional track and field club

On June 17, the local organizing committee of chairman Dennis Dieser, Travis Jensen, Jaeda Koziolek, Scott Woitas, Dick Hansen, Leah Atz, Jeshua Erickson, Heather Allen, Wayne Prudoehl, Lon Nelson and Abby Leach met at the Albert Lea Family Y.

The purpose of the meeting was to consider approval of the bylaws and an inaugural board of directors to form a USATFMN regional track and field club in southern Minnesota. After nearly a year of research, the exploratory committee of Htee Wah Shee, Dave Herrington and Ian Oolman had identified a potential roster of local athletes who had expressed an interest in such a club.

Following discussions with the Albert Lea Family Y, the Albert Lea school district and the city of Albert Lea, a set of bylaws was developed and a local organizing committee and a board of directors were enlisted.

As stated in the bylaws: The club is a coed, regional USATFMN athletic club home-based in Albert Lea at the Albert Lea Family Y. It is composed of competitors and support personnel — primarily from southern Minnesota and northern Iowa — for the development of all related disciplines.

The roster reflects youth, open and master competitors in track and field, cross country, race walking and road racing. The scope of the club may include coaching, administration and education as well as competitive opportunities.

The inaugural board of directors are Brad Edwin, Nick Schiltz, Travis Jensen, Lon Nelson and Dave Herrington.

The organizing committee had reviewed the proposed bylaws and board candidates during the coronavirus shutdown. Following a brief history report and short discussion, the proposed bylaws and board of directors were approved unanimously to commence membership enrollment and activities, such as practices and the competitive schedule. USATFMN club registration will occur as soon as the first club roster selects a name for itself.