- December 24, 2024
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Ralani Williams, Brooklyn Vitello and Oakley Maloney, along with the other girls, begin running the Pioneer Mile. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Coach James Vollinger speaks to this year's Pioneer Mile runners prior to the race. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Coach James Vollinger encourages the students to do their best during the Pioneer Mile race. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ramira Sanders, Madeline Wyatt, Sophia Lajti, Makenzie Hall and Brylee Cameron run the Pioneer Mile race at Pine Trail Elementary on Friday, Feb. 10. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Pine Trail Elementary second grade students cheer on their favorite runners from the sidelines. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Pine Trail Elementary students Isabella Donahoo, Charlie Sebza and Adelina Psofi cheer on their favorite runner from the sidelines. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Scarlett Leggit, Anna Kate Thomas and Breckland Haines run the Pioneer Mile race at Pine Trail Elementary on Friday, Feb. 10. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
First grade students cheer on their favorite runner during the Pioneer Mile. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lili Frerking runs as students cheer her on from the sidelines during the Pioneer Mile race. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Pine Trail Elementary Coach Christina Wingard shows some pioneer spirit with her students Frankie Kelleher, Beau Holcomb, Luke Weaver, Espn Haines, Colton Sargardia, Chase McFarren, Noah Choyka and Cameron Ward. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Avarie Winlock runs the Pioneer Mile race at Pine Trail Elementary on Friday, Feb. 10. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lyla Miller, Ralani Williams, Brooklyn Sheriff, Lelia Vandeusen and Avery Hayes reach the finish line for the Pioneer Mile race at Pine Trail Elementary on Friday, Feb. 10. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
George Kaniaris runs the Pioneer Mile race at Pine Trail Elementary on Friday, Feb. 10. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Nazaire Sampson, Maverick Meyer, Carter Reardon and Maxwell Bosang run the Pioneer Mile race at Pine Trail Elementary on Friday, Feb. 10. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lane Reagin runs the Pioneer Mile race at Pine Trail Elementary on Friday, Feb. 10. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Wyatt Reagin, Ryan Sartory, Evan Gildon, Connor Lambert and Max Hayes run the Pioneer Mile race at Pine Trail Elementary on Friday, Feb. 10. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Kindergarteners cheer on their favorite runner from the sidelines. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Maxwell Bosang is the first to cross the finish line for the Pioneer Mile boys' race at Pine Trail Elementary on Friday, Feb. 10. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Espn Haines crosses the finish line for the Pioneer Mile boys' race at Pine Trail Elementary on Friday, Feb. 10. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Coach James Villinger presents the winners from the girls' race with medals. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Coach James Villinger presents the winners from the boys' race with medals. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The winners from the girls' race: Lili Frerking, fourth grade; Carlee Wojcinski, third grade; and Dakota Wisniewski, fourth grade. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The winners of the boys' race: Maxwell Bosang, fourth grade, Espn Haines, second grade; and Aaron Gunter, fourth grade. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
This year's Pioneer Mile winners: Maxwell Bosang, Espn Haines, Aaron Gunter, Lili Frerking, Carlee Wojcinski and Dakota Wisniewski. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
At Pine Trail Elementary, race day carries a lot of weight.
Students of all grades work hard throughout the school year to qualify for the Pioneer Mile, an initiative created by Coach James Vollinger 29 years ago and one that he has introduced at each school in which he has taught. To qualify, girls must run a mile in nine minutes or less, and boys in eight minutes or less.
They must demonstrate they can do so prior to the race. One student this year qualified the morning of.
Coach Christina Wingard congratulated all 102 students who qualified — 52 girls and 50 boys — and hoped they would have fun during the race.
"We're so proud of how hard they worked," Wingard said.
This year's Pioneer Mile was one of the largest in the school's recent history. The competitors ranged from first grade students to fifth grade.
