By BRITTANY JACKSON

Times-News Correspondent

COLUMBUS — Santa Claus was handing out candy canes to all the boys and girls last night at Polk County High, but not everyone got to keep them.

"Our community is like everyone, and the economy is hitting everyone hard," said Polk head coach Alan Peoples. "This was a chance for athletes to qualify for State, to have some fun and to give to those in need."

In full Santa attire, Peoples joined other coaches and athletes who wore Santa hats, striped socks or were dressed as elves. A few runners even donned bells on their shoes during races. Large candy cane sticks were substituted for batons in some of the relay races, and the winners of the relays got to keep the candy batons for themselves.

"We've had this meet here for years, but this was the first time it was a fundraiser-type of event and it was our biggest year," Peoples said, of the largest attendance in both area teams and spectators. "It's all been positive. People came and brought food — more food than they had to bring."

After last year's Reindeer Games that were exclusive to the Wolverines, Polk shot put coach Amanda Simoncic came up with the vision to expand the meet to include other area teams, as well as incorporate dressing up and donating food.

"We thought that if we could include other teams in the meet, we could do something to help out the community," Simoncic said. "What better way than to bring non-perishables and help fill the food bank."

Simoncic said they were hoping for 400 cans, but because people brought more than the required one item to get into the meet, an entire truck bed was filled and even that wasn't enough room for all the goods.

"We had fun tonight, but most importantly we gave to those in need," Simoncic said.

Along with the hosts, other area teams who contributed and raced included East Henderson, West Henderson, T.C. Roberson, North Buncombe, Asheville, Tuscola and Madison.

For the boys, Asheville (109.66) beat out second-place Polk (83) for the win. Roberson, though short of many of its long-distance standouts, swept the girls meet with 117 points. North Buncombe placed second with 60 points.

For Henderson County teams, West was the top girls finisher at sixth place, the Lady Bearcats finished seventh and East placed ninth out of 10 teams. The Bearcat boys finished fourth, while the Eagles were just two points behind in fifth place and West finished eighth. Hendersonville boys and girls brought seven cases of food to donate.

"With the weather as cold as it was, this was a great meet," said Bearcat coach Pam Bolton. "It was a wonderful time to give to the community when it's desperately needed. This is such an opportunity as an athlete to give back."

Instead of trophies or medals, the top three boys and girls teams received plates that read, "1st Annual Reindeer Games," hand-painted by Polk's art classes.

"It was really good to be able to be a part of something like this tonight, and we have a few ideas to make it bigger next year," said Simoncic. "Everybody who walked through the gate tonight made a difference."

Note: Article from BlueRidgeNow.com