CPU Foundation Run

Runners, Walkers and Youth Runners – just doing a reminder for the CPU Foundation Run that is coming up on Saturday, August 4. Please consider participating and also share the information with anyone that you feel might be interested.  The events for the day include a 5K Run, 1.75 Fitness Walk, and 1-Mile Fun Run & Kids Dash.

Something unique about the 5k Run, besides the normal age group winners, is that the 5k will feature a free pair of running shoes for the overall female and male champion. We have made arrangements with “We Run” to have someone present to process the overall winners shoe order.

Another feature is a Masters Division Champion. Participants 40 and over will compete for a special Stormin’ Pointer award which will be granted to the overall winner in both the male and female categories.

Online registration is available at:

www.GetMeRegistered.com/CPUFoundation5K.

People can contact us by email should they have any questions at cpufoundation5k@gmail.com.

Thanks in advance for any help and we hope to have a good turnout on August 4^th.

Center Point-Urbana Foundation 5K Running Events

5K Run, 1.75 Fitness Walk, 1-Mile Fun Run & Kids Dash

The Center Point-Urbana Foundation is holding a 5K Run, 1.75 Fitness Walk, 1-Mile Fun Run & Kids Dash, on Saturday, August 4, 2018.   Please consider taking part and come out and help the Center Point – Urbana Educational Foundation raise money to provide grants to educators and others that support innovative approaches to learning.

Please read over the information regarding the event noted below and consider taking part. Where else can you win a free pair of running shoes, win an award for winning the “Masters Division” or have the opportunity to take part in a fitness walk? It is also a great back to-school opportunity get your kid’s sneakers broke in for those 10 & under in the Kids Dash or the 1-Mile Fun Run for those 12 & under.

Awards

Overall Champions: A commemorative Stormin’ Pointer award will be given to the overall male and female 5K Champions. In addition, overall winners also receive a pair of running shoes.

Master’s Division Champions: Participants 40 and over will compete for a special Stormin’ Pointer award which will be granted to the overall winner in both the male and female categories.

Registration

 Online registration is available at: www.GetMeRegistered.com/CPUFoundation5K .   Contact us by email should you have any questions at cpufoundation5k@gmail.com.

Race Day Schedule

6:45 AM – Registration at the Center Point – Urbana High School (145 Iowa Street, Center Point). Pre-registered competitors for the 5K, Fitness Walk and 1-Mile events will be provided a t-shirt and all registrants will be provided drinks and refreshments. Late and race-day registrants will only receive t-shirts, as they remain available. Any awards/prizes will be distributed following the conclusion of the 1-Mile Fun Run.

7:45 AM – Fitness Walk: A 1.75-mile fitness walk that begins at the high school.

8:00am – 5K: Prizes will be awarded to all winners in the respective age brackets. Kids 12 and under can participate in the 5K, but they must pay the 5K fee versus the 1-Mile Fun Run fee. Award for overall top male and female finishers along with A PAIR OF RUNNING SHOES, medals to top 3 male and female finishers in each age division.

5K Age Brackets in Men’s and Women’s Divisions:
10 & under, 11-13, 14-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 & up

9:00 AM – 1-Mile Fun Run: Kid s ages 12 and under can participate. All kids that register and participate in the Fun Run will be given a participation ribbon. Age Brackets for youth mile: 5 & under, 6-8, 9-10, 11-12, award for overall top male and female finishers.

9:10 AM – FREE Kids Stormin’ Pointer Fun Dash: The Kids Stormin’ Pointer Fun Dash run starts at the High School Track just east of the CPU High School. Free race, ribbon and treat for all 10 years and younger! Registration for the Kids Stormin’ Pointer is not necessary. When parents arrive on race day, they will be required to sign a release before their child can run. The runners will run when their age group is called.

While there is no charge for the Kids Stormin’ Pointer Dash you can click on the link below and go ahead and register your participation in advance. This will be helpful in making plans for the number of participants; otherwise you can register on run day. http://www.GetMeRegistered.com/CPUFoundation5K

 

CPU Student Athletes Compete at the 2017 CO-ED State Track Meet

The Center Point-Urbana High School girls’ and boys’ track team competed at the 2017 Iowa State Track Meet in Des Moines on May 18, 19 and 20.  Twenty CPU athletes had strong performances over the course of three thrilling, grueling days at Drake Stadium.  The girls team finished in 16th place overall with 14 points and the boys finished in 12th place overall with 24 points.  Below are some notes and images recapping the three days in May contributed by Coach Marshall.

Thursday Events

Shuttle Hurdle Relay:  The Shuttle Hurdle Team of Blake Lindsey, CJ Garnett, Jon Stuelke and Devin Smith opened the CPU state competition.  While they did not qualify for the finals they finished in a time of 1:03.98.

4x800m Relay:  The 4x800m team of Cameron Hasleiet, Maverick Gatrost, Jed Wyse, and Alex Wade ran 8:22.53, finishing 13th overall.  The boys each ran personal best splits to combine for a season best time that beat all other conference schools but one, and they improved their seed time.

3000m: Adrianna Katcher finished in 2nd place in the 3000 meter run with a time of 9:56.19.   Adrianna had a tremendous race setting a personal and CPU school record.  She finished in a time that beat the 3A state meet record, but in 2nd place less than 1 second behind the winner, running the 23rd fastest performances all time at the state meet.

400m: Madie Willson competed in the open 400-meter race finishing in a time of 1:05.66 in 23rd place.

400m: JoJo Frost successfully defended his title in class 3A, winning 1st place in a time of 49.07.  In defending his title JoJo joined 12 others in the history of the state meet to go back-to-back.

Friday Events

Shot Put:  Senior Lauren Willson competed in the shot put finishing 12th overall throwing 35-07.50

Distance Medley Relay:  The girls distance medley relay team of Lauren Easton, LaMia Sisk, Katherine Daubs, and Adrianna Katcher ran a great race, finishing 13th overall with a time of 4:21.42.

400 hurdles:  Devin Smith and JoJo Frost competed in the 400-meter hurdles.  Devin finished 14th overall with a time of 57.01.   JoJo initially was declared the winner of the 400 Hurdles but the 1st place title was later removed due to disqualification.  CPU Coaches were told by the ISHSAA that he did not legally clear the 7th hurdle in route to a 52.85 1st place finish.  Coaches attempted to protest the decision showing video and still pictures that showed that he legally cleared the 7th hurdle but the officials decision was final.

4 x 400 Preliminary:  The 4 x 400 relay team of Blake Lindsey, Jon Karteus, Devin Smith, and JoJo Frost had an exciting finish in the preliminary race.  They had the second fastest qualifying time coming out of prelims with a time of 3.23.91.

Saturday Events

Sprint Medley Relay:  The Sprint Medley team of Devin Smith, Blake Lindsey, Jon Karteus, and JoJo Frost finished 3rd in the sprint medley relay with a time of 1.34.98

800m Run:  Adrianna Katcher competed in her third event at the state meet, running the 800 meter run, finishing in 10th place with a time of 2:22.28, setting a new school record.

800m Run:  Alex Wade competed in his second event in the 800-meter run finishing 20th with a time of 2:05.95

1500m run: Adrianna Katcher competed in her fourth event at the state meet in the 1500m run.  Adrianna finished 3rd with a personal and school record time of 4:43.56.

4 x 400:  The CPU Boys 4 x 400-meter relay team finished in second place with a time of 3:23.62.  Members of the relay were Blake Lindsey, Jon Karteus, Devin Smith, and JoJo Frost.  CPU was in 6th place in the 4×400 when JoJo took the baton for the anchor leg.  

Alternates:  Noah Dierks, Haley Engen, Chloe Neighbor and Mitch Anderson served as alternates for the team.  They warmed up for the all the events and were ready to perform in case they were needed.  

Congratulations to all our track and field athletes on great gains made over the season.  Our combined team roster is now at 70 athletes and continues to grow every year.  Many students have learned the value of our program for their other sports, and enjoy competing and improving.  

Also, congratulations to those that participated this weekend at the state track and field meet.  The meet is a wonderful event.  Even with the miserable weather, we saw and participated in amazing performances, some of which rank the best in the nation.  CPU is very proud of our girls and boys track members, and especially proud of how our student athletes represented the school and community.

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This post was contributed to by CPU Head Boys and Girls Track Coach Amy Marshall.  Check out her webpage at https://sites.google.com/a/cpuschools.org/cpu-track-and-field/home or follow her on twitter @CPUTFXC.

Wanted: CPU Education Foundation Board Members

The Center Point – Urbana Education Foundation is looking for persons interested in being board members. There are some board vacancies that need to be filled.

We are looking for volunteer board members to help lead and strengthen our programs and services. If you are able to contribute your time, dedication, skills and leadership, and are interested in exploring this opportunity, please email us at cpufoundation@cpuschools.org.

We are especially looking for individuals with experience in accounting, legal, grant writing and fundraising. The Foundation hopes to find a mix of members that have children in school, had children in school or just an interested community member.

The CPU Education Foundation (CPUEF) was formed in 2011 as a 501©3 non-profit organization designed to help the school district support and develop educational programs and facilities.

The purpose of the Foundation is to provide funding that supports its mission and to ensure that Center Point-Urbana Community Schools remain a leader in the State of Iowa by providing the students a unique experience. This experience will be achieved by utilizing the latest technology, enhances the educational experience, and providing state-of-the-art athletic and arts facilities and equipment. The Foundation will also provide an avenue for community, staff, and alumni to preserve and enhance the district. This support will take the form of scholarships, mini-grants, memorials, and endowment contributions.

 

High School Industrial Tech Building

The Industrial Tech Building for the high school is well underway.   Construction began in late March with some dirt and utility work.  If one would drive by it would like not much has happened.  The majority of work so far has occurred below the ground with the water main, sanitary sewer work and other utility work.

Over the next two weeks the building will really begin to take shape. Starting on Monday, April 25 the precast wall panels will begin to be delivered.  The panels along with structural steel, the core deck and roof will be going up.

Please take note that starting on Monday, April 25 that the trucks hauling the precast panels will start staging along Iowa Street and the East entry way to the high school. This could create some traffic congestion and will at times create a one way road only.    If possible traffic coming to the high school over the next two weeks should enter from the north off of Green Street.

 

The Game Plan

Should kids play multiple sports or specialize in one?

I am posting this article regarding youth sports that I read last summer. Spring seems to be the time for the traditional start to a lot of youth sports.    I hope you enjoy the read.

Reposted with permission of Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

There are many great reasons for kids to participate in youth sports programs: exercise, self-confidence, teamwork, life lessons, and friendships.

The youth sports culture has, however, changed so much over the last few decades. It’s easy to get caught up in something you hadn’t bargained for when you signed up little Johnny for tee-ball a few years ago.

Gone are the days of after school pick-up games in someone’s backyard. Today’s kids are shuttled, sometimes daily, to planned, structured practices, supervised by a coach or a team of coaches. By the time kids are ages 9 or 10, it’s not unusual for them to practice several times a week in a competitive league.

What’s more, many of today’s young athletes play on “traveling teams” that play one sport year-round. So, instead of hanging up their football cleats in the fall to play basketball in the winter and baseball in the spring, today’s student athlete might “specialize” in one sport. “If a student specializes in one sport, they are making a choice to become as good as possible in that sport,” says Greg Schoon, PE teacher and head football and track coach at East High School in Des Moines, Iowa. “It’s a personal decision. As a coach, I support whatever choice the student makes. I stress that it’s not the athletic ability that’s important. It’s the lessons learned from participating that matter. And I encourage parents to offer positive support.”

The end goal with sports specialization, says Schoon, is often to land a college scholarship. “While this may happen on occasion, in most cases, it’s not realistic,” says Schoon. “Plus, it’s an incredible amount of pressure for most kids.”

Boy playing baseball. (Photo: Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.)Less than one percent of student athletes will receive a full-ride athletic scholarship. For those students who want to attend college, it’s far more important to work on academics, and strive to achieve their best possible grade point average,” says Schoon.

“Plus, multi-sport athletes may be more likely to be recruited or offered scholarships, adds Schoon. Often, these kids are better all-around athletes. They are not done developing, and they are less likely to burn out.”

Schoon grew up in a small town in northwest Iowa where there weren’t many opportunities for entertainment besides playing the sport of the season. “I played football, basketball, golf and baseball. I think it made me a better athlete, overall. I didn’t train year round for any sport until I played football in college. I made a lot of improvement during that time, but I was also ready for it,” says Schoon.

Is there a good time to specialize? According to David Epstein, sports journalist and author of “The Sports Gene,” parents and kids should avoid specialization and instead sample a variety of sports through at least age 12. Other experts say 14 is a good age.

“The age is debatable,” says Schoon. “Each kid is different. I think the main thing to understand is that kids are not mini adults. It’s best to let them play freely, explore different sports, let them learn to love sports naturally and in their own time. Ultimately, it’s really about being active for life.”

According to Samantha Brough, certified athletic trainer in Des Moines, Iowa, the logical time to specialize, for most athletes, is during the college years. “During college, there never really is an off season, so it’s not really possible to play multiple sports. Plus, colleges offer strength and conditioning programs all year round, so the athletes are staying in better shape overall and getting a well-rounded program.”

Schoon adds, “There’s a really good chance that middle school and high school are the last chances that athletes will have to play many different sports. If they love it, let them do it.” Schoon offers a few more factors to consider when it comes to playing one sport year round, or multiple sports throughout the year:

• COST. Often, year-round sports are more expensive than playing multiple sports throughout the year. In year-round sports, you have the added expense of off-season camps, clinics, gear, tournaments and road trips, among other expenses. When students play in multiple school-sponsored sports, the school usually provides the supplies and most of the gear, so the cost is minimal.
• SOCIAL CIRCLES. If a student specializes, they’re going to be interacting with the same group of coaches, players and families over a longer period of time. If they’re in multiple sports throughout the year, they’ll be around a wider variety of individuals and coaches. It’s important for students to expand their social circle and gain new perspectives and experiences.
• PHYSICAL SKILLS. Students who participate in multiple sports, says Schoon, can develop different sets of skills that can potentially help them in other sports. A wide receiver in football might make a good soccer goalie. A high jumper in track could transfer that skill to basketball. The endurance built in crosscountry or soccer might transfer to volleyball, hockey or swimming. Hand-eye coordination from softball or baseball might be at an advantage in tennis or basketball. The possibilities are endless.
• POTENTIAL BURNOUT. Kids who specialize are more likely to burn out, lose interest, or feel too much pressure to succeed, says Schoon. “In my experience, students who change sports with each season tend to be re-energized by the process and ready to move on to something new.”
• POTENTIAL FOR INJURIES. Without the right coaching, more intense or year-long sports may cause injuries. According to Brough, “Generally, in track you see more stress fractures. In baseball, you see shoulder and elbow injuries. I think injuries have more to do with not using proper form or doing too much too fast. If you have a baseball player who decides to specialize, and they want to pitch, and the coach doesn’t know how to develop a pitcher, problems may develop.”
• THE FUN FACTOR. When it comes to youth sports, your child should be enjoying what they are doing, no matter his or her age. If they’re not having fun, figure out why. Is it too much pressure? The coach? Is it you?
• STATE OF MIND Visit ChangingTheGameProject.com for more information about kids and sports.

Full article: Get In the Game

CPU Girls Basketball Season Ends in 3A Semifinals

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Des Moines – Center Point – Urbana’s quest for a 3A girls’ state basketball title came to end on Thursday with a 47-41 loss to No. 3 Nevada at Wells Fargo Arena. CPU finished with a 24-2 record.

Congratulations Coach Klett and CPU Girls on a great basketball season!

 

 

Center Point – Urbana Advances at Girls State Basketball Tournament

DES MOINES — Center Point-Urbana needed a second-half rally to overcome a three-point halftime deficit and a pair of late free throws to hold off a Mid-Prairie rally in a 48-43 win over the Golden Hawks at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Mid-Prairie (16-9) had a seven-game winning streak snapped with its first loss since Jan. 30, while Center Point-Urbana (24-1) advanced to the semifinals for the first time since winning the 2A title in 1995.

The Stormin’ Pointers outscored Mid-Prairie 12-5 in the third quarter, holding the Golden Hawks without a field goal in the period.

CPU (24-1) held Mid-Prairie about 10 1/2 minutes without a field goal, overcoming a seven-point second-quarter deficit.

The Stormin’ Pointers advance to the semifinal round opposite No. 3 Nevada (22-3) at 6:45 p.m. Thursday.

Pre-Sale State Tournament Tickets:  Those wanting to purchase “pre-sale” tickets for Thursdays 2nd Round Girls’ State Basketball Tournament game can do so starting today from 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. & 8:00 a.m.-Noon through Thursday at either the District Office or the Activities Office.  Tickets are $10.00 each. We will accept cash or check (make checks payable to CPU Schools). You may also purchase tickets upon arrival at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines for the same price.

School Schedule:  CPU will be on its normal school schedule for Thursday.  The pep bus will leave at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday for those students who sign up in advance.

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Historic CPU Wrestler Finishes High School Career as 3-Time State Champion

Senior Brock Rathbun just finished his historical wrestling career as the State Champion in Class 2A at 126 lbs. In doing so, Brock became the 54^th four-time state finalist and won his 3^rd straight state title.  Brock’s record was 48-0 this season and he won 143 straight bouts, giving him a career mark of 184-3.   Brock has not had a loss since the state championship match his freshman year.

In looking back over Brock’s high school career he is the CPU school leader in all wrestling statistics.

Wins-185-3 (three losses his freshman year)

Falls-139

Takedowns-294

Nearfalls-149

 While Brock was en-route to his third straight wrestling championship, he totaled 144 consecutive wins, was only the 53^rd person in Iowa Wrestling History to have been a 4 time state finalist and was the 82^nd person in Iowa High School State Wrestling to have become a 3 time state champion.

Besides the challenge of maintaining his tremendous level of performance for 4 years, he also dealt with the challenge of having diabetes his senior season and finished off his last two matches at state with a knee injury.

Congratulations Brock –

3^rd Straight State Championship

3^rd Straight Undefeated 48 – 0 Season

and

Your Amazing High School Wrestling Career!

Center Point – Urbana Community School District Announces its Superintendent Selection

The Center Point – Urbana Community School District is pleased to announce that a contract for Superintendent of the Center Point – Urbana Community School District has been offered to Matt Berninghaus.

Matt Berninghaus is currently the Superintendent of the North Union School District in Armstrong, Iowa.  He has worked in the North Union School District in Armstrong, Iowa for 14 years.  He has been Superintendent for the past 4 years.  Prior to being Superintendent he had been Principal, Guidance Counselor and Teacher.

There were 24 applicants for the position.  The board interviewed 4 finalists for the position during the week of January 25, 2016.  Matt Berninghaus will assume the duties of Superintendent beginning July 1, 2016.

McPherson & Jacobson L.L.C. served as consultants in the search process and will continue working with the Center Point – Urbana Board of Education and the new Superintendent in helping establish performance objectives for Matt Berninhaus.