Cornhusker State Games new tradition

Cooler temperatures will be a welcome change for runners who are carrying the torch for the Cornhusker State Games. Runners began on May 30 at the Wyoming border and continue through June 21, when the torch will be carried into Seacrest Field in Lincoln.

The torch comes through McCook on Wednesday afternoon. It will be carried along B Street from Wal-Mart to Norris Avenue by McCook High School's cross country team. From there, it will be carried to Norris Park by members of McCook's Pepper youth group. Local Torch Run coordinators are Diane Stamm of the YMCA and Jesse Stevens of Coyote Country 105.3 radio station.

A Gold Medal Talent Search takes place at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the bandshell at Norris Park. This is one of only nine talent searches held across the state. Jesse Stevens said that he was very excited to get the event back in McCook. He is anticipating a full show with about 20 entries. "The talent show has come a long way from where it was six or seven years ago. That year, I got to go to the State Games, partly because I was the only one who entered the local contest!"

Nicole Kubik of Cambridge will also be on hand to talk about the new Tobacco Free All-Star Team. In the event of another weather change (rain), the Talent Search will be moved to the Pepper Building at East Second and B Streets.

The Cornhusker State Games have been held for 18 years, and the Torch Run has been a tradition of the games for 17 years. The purpose of the Torch Run is to bring attention to the games and to promote healthy, active lifestyles.

Apparently, many Southwest Nebraska residents embrace that lifestyle. Pat Hagedorn, Torch Run coordinator, said that most of the legs of the relay around McCook are full. He has some openings closer to North Platte, and between North Platte and Kearney. What does he do if there is no runner scheduled for a leg? He runs it himself. He stated that in his first year as coordinator, he ran about 100 miles during the 23-day relay. Last year, he only had to run about 30 miles.

A lot of high school tracksters like to run in the relay, with the average age of runners being 14 to 15 years old. But Hagedorn has had them as young as 5 and as old as 85. Speed is not a requirement. Some runners choose to participate in a vigorous workout, others opt for a casual jog. Some runners take a one mile leg, others choose to cover greater distances.

The important thing is that participants are a part of the Cornhusker State Games tradition. Their participation will produce fond memories of Nebraska's healthy lifestyle and wholesome attitudes.

Whether the memory includes 100-plus degree blistering heat, or a mild 85 degree day, depends on what day (or hour) he or she ran. That phenomenon is also a Nebraska tradition.