It is said that it takes a village to raise a child.

And when that child turns out for track and field, it takes a small army to make that happen.

"What we pulled off last night in terms of meet management was a minor miracle," Siuslaw athletic director Chris Johnson said Wednesday, the day after the Vikings' season-opening track and field meet.

Siuslaw hosted a four-way meet at Hans Petersen Field, and will host the seven-school Central Coast Invitational this Friday. It's also possible Siuslaw will host the state meet at season's end.

"It takes 40 or more volunteers to do a track meet the right way," Johnson said. "We hope to continue to run a great track meet but our ability to do that rest squarely on our pool of volunteers. 

"We are so lucky to have so many people who have continued to support us over the years."

Johnson also serves as the school's track and field and cross country coach, and he takes pride in all aspects of the sports.

That includes bringing it home for fans. To that, he tips his cap to the school district's information technology department.

"Our IT team, led by Chris Rowbotham, has been instrumental in getting the live results and live video to happen," Johnson said.

It's a relatively recent innovation, allowing for anyone worldwide to tap into a local meet live.

"Being able to add live field event results to live running event results, like we have had the past few years, and video of every race and most trials in the field events was quite an undertaking, but also a great achievement," he said.

Yet, for all the IT, all the volunteers and for all the coaching, it still comes down to each child who commits to track and field.

"I think what we saw last night is that kids who have stayed vigilant during the pandemically altered universe were prepared," Johnson said.

"Track and field is a brutal combination of strength, speed, fitness and technique. None of those things can happen overnight, so we are trying our best to fast-track. Kids who have been active are obviously in the driver's seat."

In the driver's seat, and with a good view of an army of volunteers.

CENTRAL COAST INVITATIONAL

Siuslaw's premier annual home meet will be Friday at Hans Petersen Field, with field events starting at 4 p.m. and running events at 5:30 p.m.

Admission is $5, and seating is limited due to covid restrictions. Tickets must be purchased online at bit.ly/siuslawtickets.

Tentative schedule (changes subject to entries):

Field events (girls/boys):

6 p.m. times approximate. Events will begin 30 minutes after completion of 4 p.m. event.

Long jump — 4 p.m./6 p.m. Triple jump — 6 p.m./4 p.m. High jump — 6 p.m./4 p.m. Pole vault — 4 p.m./6 p.m. Shot put — 6 p.m./4 p.m. Javelin — 6 p.m./4 p.m. Discus — 4 p.m./6 p.m.

Running events (girls/boys):

4x100 relay — 5:30 p.m./5:35 p.m. 1,500 — 5:40 p.m./5:50 p.m. 100 — 6 p.m./6:10 p.m. 400 — 6:20 p.m./6:30 p.m. 100/110 hurdles — 6:40 p.m./6:50 p.m. 800 — 7 p.m./7:10 p.m. 200 — 7:20 p.m./7:30 p.m. 300 hurdles — 7:40 p.m./7:50 p.m. 3,000 — 8 p.m./8:20 p.m. 4x400 — 8:40 p.m./8:55 p.m.