TJ Niles of the Lewiston Recreation Track & Field program talks Thursday with his 4-year-old son, Jack, at the start line during the track and field competition at Poland Regional High School. About 400 children from six summer programs competed during the meet hosted by the Panther Track Club of Poland. TJ Niles is a volunteer coach with the Lewiston program. Jack Niles’ middle name is “Runyr.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Caelan Warden, 9, of the Auburn Recreation Track and Field program throws the shot put Thursday during the track and field competition at Poland Regional High School. About 400 children from six summer programs competed at the event hosted by the Panther Track Club of Poland. Warden is a fifth grader at Walton Elementary School. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Maddey Heikkinen, 9, of Rumford throws the turbo javelin Thursday during the track and field competition at Poland Regional High School in Poland. Heikkinen’s team, the Hosmer Heat, is one of six summer youth programs that participated during the Panther Track Club event. About 400 kids participated in various events. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Josh Varney, 11, of the Panther Track Club in Poland takes a water break after competing in the race walk Thursday during the track and field competition at Poland Regional High School. About 400 children from six summer programs competed during the club meet. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Tom Menendez fires the starter’s pistol Thursday during the track and field competition at Poland Regional High School. Menendez has been involved in youth track and field events for 40 years. Thursday’s meet was hosted by the Panther Track Club of Poland. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Cayleigh Pierce, 13, of Topsham competes Thursday in the high jump during the track and field competition at Poland Regional High School. About 400 children from six summer programs competed during the meet hosted by the Panther Track Club of Poland. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Skylar Marston, 9, of the Auburn Recreation Track and Field program competes in the race walk Thursday during the track and field competition at Poland Regional High School. About 400 children from six summer programs competed during the meet hosted by the Panther Track Club of Poland. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Bilal Ali, 9, of the Lewiston Recreation Track & Field program competes Thursday during the track and field competition at Poland Regional High School. About 400 children from six summer programs competed at the meeting hosted by the Panther Track Club of Poland. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Members of the Auburn Recreation Track and Field program cheer for their teammates Thursday during the track and field competition at Poland Regional High School. About 400 children from six summer programs competed during the meet hosted by Panther Track Club of Poland. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Edward Little High School sophomore Joe LeBlanc adjusts the high jump bar Thursday during the youth track and field competition at Poland Regional High School. LeBlanc is a volunteer at the track meet. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Emily Varney, 8, of the Panther Track Club throws the shot put Thursday during the track and field competition at Poland Regional High School. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal