The Roosevelt Elementary School track & field athletes celebrate their victory at the 12th Annual Santa Barbara and Montecito area track meet. (Courtesy Photo)

SANTA BARBARA – On Monday, May 5th, over 400 student athletes from Roosevelt,
Montecito Union, Adams, Cleveland, Washington, Harding, Monroe, Franklin, McKinley, and Cold Spring School gathered at Westmont College for the 12th Annual All Santa Barbara and Montecito Schools Track and Field Meet.

Students in grades four through six competed in 11 events—from the high jump to the 800-meter run. Medals were awarded to the top three finishers in each event.

Roosevelt Elementary School earned the title of overall meet champion with 120 points, followed closely by Cold Spring School (116 points) and Washington Elementary (115 points).

Full Team Scores

  • Roosevelt – 120 points
  • Cold Spring – 116 points
  • Washington – 115 points
  • Adams – 91 points
  • Montecito Union – 35 points
  • Harding – 28 points
  • Cleveland – 18 points
  • McKinley – 13 points
  • Franklin – 12 points
  • Monroe – 6 points

The School Spirit Award, voted on by PE teachers, was awarded to Cold Spring School. This
beloved annual tradition was co-founded twelve years ago by Westmont College Track and Field Coach Russell Smelley and Dr. Amy Alzina, Superintendent of Cold Spring School District, during her time in Santa Barbara Unified.

Their vision was to create an inclusive, inspiring event that introduced students to track and field—and to a college campus environment—while fostering positive connections between students from various elementary schools before they transition to junior high.

“I’m incredibly grateful to all the schools that joined us for this year’s Track and Field Meet,” said Dr. Amy Alzina. “This event is about more than athletics—it’s about closing the opportunity gap and building a sense of community among students across our region.

None of this would be possible without the tremendous support of Westmont College, Coach Russell Smelley, Coach Derek Materson, our dedicated Cold Spring parent volunteers, Westmont student volunteers, and the passionate PE teachers from each school. While the students enjoyed the excitement of competition, I think lunch in the Westmont Dining Commons may have been the real highlight! The day ended with smiles all around.”