BELLEVILLE — Scott Falkner admits the equipment is a little scant, at this point. The shiny new shot puts and discuses just arrived, while a shipment of javelins met an unfortunate fate as they got lost in some distribution warehouse.

The pits for the long and triple jumps were finally filled with sand and could be used. There are no hurdles or high jump apparatus quite yet, but they’re coming. And, a 400-meter loop is marked off on the school’s main soccer field. It’s not ideal but serviceable.

The distance runners train on nearby roadways and ridges for their workouts.

Such is life for Belleville Mennonite School’s fledgling track and field program.

Thunder head coach Scott Falkner, a former standout and coach at Indian Valley High School for two years then Lewistown Area High School for 13 years, is trying to start the sport from scratch.

Progress is slow but steady, but Falkner knows Rome wasn’t built in a day. He also serves as the school’s director of technology.

His wife, Stacey, who serves as the school’s director of activities and athletics, is also serving as an assistant coach. She was a former track product and coached the jumpers at Lewistown for 15 years. Both Falkners also coached cross country at Lewistown as well during that span.

“BMS had no spring sports and since Stacey is now AD here and with our years of track and field experience it seemed like a good idea to give the students something to do in the spring,” Scott Falkner said.

“It will also help keep students in shape for the fall sports season instead of almost six months of doing nothing,” Falkner added.

The roster is also a work in progress. Currently, there are two high school boys out for the sport as well as six middle school boys. Despite Falkner wanting to start a boys and girls program, he did not get any girls to try out.

The low turnout doesn’t dampen his spirits as the school’s enrollment is seeing an uptick in the lower grades. That could bode well for the budding program.

“We have larger class sizes working up from the elementary school, which should help our numbers significantly in the coming years; the current high school classes are relatively small,” Falkner said.

“This year was just to get things started and see where we can go and set the precedent,” Falkner added. “Watching the elementary basketball this past year we have a lot of upcoming potential at BMS. The goal is to field full boys and girls teams.”

While the school’s other teams belong to the Allegheny Christian Athletic Association (ACAA), the Thunder don’t have the numbers to compete just yet.

According to the ACAA website, the 2025 ACAA Track Meet will be held in Midd-West High School in Middleburg. Competing on such a stage gives the Thunder’s athletes something to shoot for.

Falkner has also received support from other neighboring schools, especially with regard to scheduling.

“We are not in any league though there is an ACAA meet we will compete in later this season,” Falkner said. “Altoona has graciously invited our middle school team to their home meets which is an awesome facility. We are also very appreciative to Juniata, Juniata Valley and Mount Union for hosting us for their home meets for the high school boys.”

The school purchased new bright red uniforms for their track and field athletes to wear. The name “Belleville” is emblazoned across the front, along with the stylized “B” Thunder logo.

Despite their small stature with regard to their roster, the two members – sophomore Grant Yoder and freshman Ethan Miller – competed with the likes of Tri-Valley League perennial powers Juniata and Halifax. Win or lose, they were all smiles and were thankful for the opportunity to compete.

The middle school athletes include eighth-grader Cade Yoder and seventh-graders Doug Aumiller, Logan Dillman, Braxton Falkner, Owen O’Neil and Drew Yoder.

“We are extremely excited to be offering this unique, new athletic opportunity for our students at the secondary level,” Belleville Mennonite School Superintendent Nicholas Wilson said.

“I am beyond grateful for Scott and Stacey Falkner for their combined passion, willingness and decades of talent they bring to not only their director roles at BMS, but more recently to their coaching and mentor leadership of this growing team. It’s just one of many examples of how BMS is expanding and enhancing experiences for our students.”

To date, that is the biggest victory for Belleville Mennonite track and field.

Belleville Mennonite School Track and Field Schedules

High School

Tuesday, April 8 – at Mount Union with Williamsburg and McConnellsburg

Thursday, April 10 – at Mount Union with Tussey Mountain

Tuesday, April 15 – at Juniata Valley with Mount Union

Thursday, April 24 – at Mount Union with Southern Huntingdon and Southern Fulton

Monday, May 5 – at ACAA Meet, Midd-West High School, Middleburg

Tuesday, May 13 – at Altoona

Wednesday, May 14 – at District 6 Championships, Altoona

Middle School

Saturday, April 12 – Clearfield Bison Stampede

Saturday, May 3 – Bellefonte Herbstritt Memorial Meet

Monday, May 5 – ACAA Meet, Midd-West High School, Middleburg

Saturday, May 10 – Altoona Middle School Championship Invitational