As parents and family members fill the stands to watch their young runner prodigies, the Tigre Ventura’s Youth Track and Field Club enter the Buena High Schools Stadium. On April 19, 2026 the Tigres’ first evening track meet kicked off with a bang.
Starting off this meet with an alternative meet time, switching from the early mornings to the cooler evenings, this new time schedule has an overall positive rating from runners and family.
“With the [afternoon] meets, it is nice to be able to sleep in and have time in the day to [do other things]… You can have the entire afternoon,” eighth grader Owen Whatley from DATA Middle School said.
Ranging from ages 7 to 18, students from all around Ventura met on the Buena field. Using Buena’s track and field editions of the Bulldog stadium the tigre is able to provide all of the same opportunities.
The majority of participating kids being elementary and middle schoolers the ability to decide if running is for them is perfect right before high school.
Tigre being one of the only running opportunities in Ventura County outside of high school and crosscountry gives young minds the opportunity to run, especially for those who are not yet in high school. This chance at running gives those younger students a head start amongst their peers.
Aspiring runner and eighth grader from Cabrillo Middle School Jacob Nuckle, talks about his goals with Tigre.
As the track season continues, each meet is met with another team, but not in the most competitive way. The meets are not about the competition, it is about the run and the shared passion for the sport.
Competing against the Oxnard Stars, hundreds of kids and families describe the vibe of the meet as “friends and peers that also like the same things that they do”.
“The community and just everyone supporting each other even if you are not the best at running is [something that I love to see],” Whatley said.
Tigre and club track team alike all had sprints, long distance, hurdles and relays, every track and field activity you can think of outside of pole vaulting.
Tigre offers an opportunity to run and create friends as fellow runners learn to socialize in the already scarce social configuration. As the day went on, the kids were still full of energy and eagerness for their turn to show off their speed.
“My favorite thing about being [a part] of Tigre is seeing my kid at practice and seeing him have a really good time,” parent and Tigre volunteer Adam Kaiserman said.
