Varsity - The Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics

Varsity - April 4, 2013

Varsity is the free Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics, covering Badgers football, basketball, hockey and more each week.

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BADGERS GIVE BACK Badgers take break from 'break' to help kids learn importance of active lifestyles Women's track athletes join Olympic champion at kids' clinic in California E ven though their Spring Break really didn't involve much of a break, members of the Wisconsin women's track and field team still managed to give some of their time to the next generation of athletes. Ten of the Badgers' field event and combined events athletes took time away from training to volunteer as part of a special clinic for kids in Santa Barbara, Calif., last week. The event, organized by the Women's Athletic Performance Foundation, brought 45 kids from the Santa Barbara area together to learn from top athletes, including Olympic decathlon gold medalist Ashton Eaton. The Badgers, who were using the same track at Westmont College to train during Spring Break, were excited to offer their expertise at the clinic. "They were very excited about helping the kids," UW assistant coach Nate Davis of his athletes. "They 22 ยป VARSITY APR I L 4, 2013 all have something to offer. They all come from different backgrounds. "The opportunity to help in any way with the WAPF or with Westmont College because of their hospitatliy is something we love to do." The WAPF, which has made its home at Westmont, was established to provide training to elite level female heptathletes, helping them prepare for international competition. Still, the focus of the clinic was more on helping kids learn the importance of getting outside and getting active. "The mission of the WAPF is not only to support elite heptathletes, but also to promote physical activity in youth," said Josh Priester, director of the WAPF and an assistant coach at Westmont College. "We are not necessarily trying to create track athletes, but to create kids that are excited about doing activities."

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