WellCare Sponsors Fastest Kid In Bowling Green Competition To Encourage Physical Fitness And Healthy Lifestyles
Tampa, Fla. (PRWEB) April 17, 2014 -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) partnered with Western Kentucky University (WKU) to sponsor the 3rd Annual Fastest Kid in Bowling Green fitness competition on April 12 at WKU’s Charles M. Ruter Track Complex in Bowling Green, Ky. The 100-meter dash competition promotes physical fitness and offers children an opportunity to showcase their athletic abilities in a collegiate setting.
“WellCare is committed to supporting efforts that educate children about the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle,” said Kelly Munson, state president, WellCare of Kentucky. “By bringing programs like this to young children, we are not only illustrating that organized sports can be fun and rewarding, we are also helping to lay the foundation for a healthier generation.”
Leading up to this competition, public and private schools across Warren County held preliminary competitions for grades 1-8. The winners of these preliminary races advanced to the Fastest Kid in Bowling Green competition, where separate 100-meter dash races were held for boys and girls. Winners were named in three categories: grades 1-3, 4-6 and 7-8.
Winners of the Fastest Kid in Bowling Green competition, along with superintendents, physical education teachers and students who participated in the event, will be recognized at halftime during WKU’s spring football game on April 19 at 1 p.m. The first place winners are:
1st-3rd Grade Girls – Megan Kitchens, Foundation Christian Academy
1st-3rd Grade Boys – Cristian Conyer, TC Cherry Elementary
4th-6th Grade Girls – Claire Hopkins, Bowling Green Jr. High School (Overall Girl Winner)
4th-6th Grade Boys – Jonathan Hill, Rockfield Elementary (Overall Boy Winner)
7th-8th Grade Girls – Samantha Sutton, St. Joseph School
“This event keeps getting better and better each year,” said Thomas Harris, WKU assistant director of athletic marketing. “We had some close races, and these kids put on a show. It is a great opportunity for them to participate in a collegiate track and field meet, giving them motivation to work hard so that they may compete on this level one day. This year, we had a record high of 72 kids signed up, and we look forward to breaking that next year.”
“Physical fitness is an important component of leading a healthy and happy lifestyle, something we promote in all Warren County Public Schools,” said Rob Clayton, superintendent, Warren County Schools.
“It is such a great opportunity for several of our elementary students to run on the same track with college athletes,” said Joe Tinius, superintendent, Bowling Green City Schools. “They have an experience they will remember for years to come.”
As of January 2014, WellCare serves approximately 333,000 Medicaid plan members, 4,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 18,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Kentucky.
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, and the aged, blind, and disabled, as well as prescription drug plans. The company serves approximately 3.3 million members nationwide as of January 2014. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at http://www.wellcare.com.
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CONTACT:
Denise Malecki
813-206-2747
Denise.malecki(at)wellcare(dot)com
Denise Malecki - Media Relations, WellCare Health Plans, Inc., https://www.wellcare.com/, +1 (813) 206-2747, [email protected]
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