Sunday, May 17, 2026
After a long Saturday in the Sun at Camarillo H.S.'s track for the Hap Rapp Meet, today was a good day to recharge and reflect.
A good philosophy of life
As my 79th birthday quickly approaches, I do lots of reflecting over my life's choices, many good, some not so good.
This morning I thought nostalgically about the past five years of the Hap Rapp Track Meet.
For me, this Camarillo Community event held every May since 1960 for the city's Fourth through Eighth Grade students has been fun to watch and use as a measuring stick for Jacob and Mary's growth and development.
2022 Hap Rapp Meet
Jacob Contreras - Fourth Grade
Tierra Linda Elementary Hawks
The Fourth Grade is the first year that students can compete for their school in this meet.
That year, Jacob entered Long Jump, 100 Meters Dash and 4 x 100 Meters Relay.
Although I thought that he held his own that day, he did not get to stand on the podium to receive a ribbon. That was reserved for only the Top Five finishers.
After the meet, he was troubled by his results but we all counseled him to continue with his track endeavors, work hard and see what the next year would bring.
2023 Hap Rapp Meet
Jacob Contreras - Fifth Grade
Tierra Linda Elementary Hawks
The year came and went but his hard work paid off with a First Place finish in the Long Jump, the mandatory trip to the podium and that all important Blue Ribbon!
He was also entered in 50 Meters Dash and the 800 Meters Run that year finishing 7th and 6th respectively.
He was SO happy to have won that ribbon that day.
So were we.
2024 Hap Rapp Meet
Jacob Contreras - Sixth Grade
Las Colinas Middle School Mustangs
A new school for Jacob but he was back at it with a four event day consisting of the 100 Meters Dash, 400 Meters Dash, Long Jump and 4 x 100 Meters Relay.
On this fine day, Jacob made four trips to the podium taking First Place in the 400, Long Jump and Relay. He also was Third in the 100.
2025 Hap Rapp Meet
Jacob Contreras - Seventh Grade
Las Colinas Middle School Mustangs
Jacob's events this year were the 400 Meters Dash, 800 Meters Run, Long Jump and 4 x 100 Meters Relay.
There were four more trips to the podium on this day as Jacob had earned four First Place Ribbons!
He was also named the Hap Rapp Track Meet's Boys' Seventh Grade Athlete of the Meet.
2025 Hap Rapp Meet
Mary Contreras - Fourth Grade
Tierra Linda Elementary Hawks
This was Mary's first year of Hap Rapp Meet eligibility.
She ran the 50 Meters Dash, the 400 Meters Dash, the 4 x 100 Meters Relay and did the Long Jump.
No podium trips for Mary on that day but lots of smiles and giggles.
2026 Hap Rapp Meet
Jacob Contreras - Eighth Grade
Las Colinas Middle School Mustangs
This would be Jacob's last Hap Rapp as he will enroll in Camarillo H.S. in the Fall.
His events today were the 400 Meters Dash (2nd), 800 Meters Run (1st), Long Jump (2nd) and 4 x 100 Meters Relay (1st).
Jacob was named the Hap Rapp Track Meet's Boys' Eighth Grade Athlete of the Meet.
He's come a long ways since being a tad down in the dumps after his first Hap Rapp Meet back in 2022.
2026 Hap Rapp Meet
Mary Contreras - Fifth Grade
Tierra Linda Elementary Hawks
Mary's day was a short one.
She was entered in the 50 Meters Dash, Long Jump and 4 x 100 Meters Relay. Unfortunately her relay team couldn't come up with four runners, so she only competed in two events yesterday.
Again no trips to the podium for her but she happy-go-lucky as always and enjoyed being with her friends.
She can still compete in this meet for the next three years as she transitions to Las Colinas Middle School next Fall. I, for one, am looking forward to that possibility.
As for me, these two kids have provided me with a boatful of memories that last few years, a fact that I greatly appreciate.
Today in Euro Ball . . .
Spanish DII
Quarterfinal Playoff Result
The Levante Conference's #1 Seed Valencia Giants (7-1-1) nipped the Cataluña Conference's #2 Seed Reus Impereials (5-3).
Spanish DII
Quarterfinal Playoff Result
The Sur Conference's #1 Seed Jerez Jaguars (6-0) with a close win over the Levante Conference's #2 Seed Alicante Sharks (6-3).
Spanish DII
Quarterfinal Playoff Result
In the best matchup of the Spanish DII Playoff weekend, the Madrid Conference's #1 Seed Alcobendas Cavaliers (8-0) won a tough one against the Levante Conference's #1 Seed Barcelona Pagesos (7-1).
Spanish DII
Semifinal Games
Madrid Conference #2 Seed
Alcorcón Smilodons (6-2)
vs.
Levante Conference #1 Seed
Valencia Giants (7-1-1)
Madrid Conference #1 Seed
Alcobendas Cavaliers (8-0)
vs.
Sur Conference #1 Seed
Jerez Jaguars (6-0)
Italian DII
Girone A Conference Result
The Albisola Pirates (3-5) with a convincing win over the Brescia Bengals (2-6).
Italian DII
Girone B Conference Result
The Monza Daemons (7-0) rolled over our beloved, struggling Catania Elephants (1-6).
Italian DIII
Girone A Conference Result
The Piacenza Wolverines (4-1) had no trouble with the Lugano Rebels (0-6).
Italian DIII
Girone B Conference Result
The battle for second place in the Girone B Conference is tied as the Salerno Eagles (3-3) edged Palermo United (3-3).
Italian DIII
Girone C Conference Result
The Cagliari Crusdaers (5-0) easily dispatched the Roma Legionari (1-4).
Italian DIII
Girone A Conference Result
The FVG Kraken (3-3) with a solid effort over the TerraFerma Cocai (1-5).
Last game of the European
Football Alliance's first weekend
In a wild one, the Munich Ravens (1-0) outscored Switzerland's Tirol Raiders (0-1).
I'm looking forward to building many more memories this coming week with our family and friends.
1 comment:
Tirol Raiders team is located in Austria, not in Switzerland 😉
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