Samantha Stetzer/ Winonan

A little waddle goes a long way.

Winona State University’s track and field team recently distributed $13,870 from their annual Warrior Waddle in September to some of their junior and senior team members according to Tracy Hale of the alumni office.

Over the last seven years, the race has raised $90,000 for the team, Hale reported.

Head coach Mason Rebarchek said the team does not reach the maximum amount of funding allowed by the NCAA, and the team needs fundraising events like Warrior Waddle.

“Many schools we compete against are funded at a level much higher than we are,” Rebarchek said. “Scholarship funding comes from many sources, and the funds provided by the Warrior Waddle each year help us get more scholarship money to our student-athletes. And it helps us attract higher caliber athletes out of high school.”

The more scholarships Winona State has to offer, the more attractive the school looks to prospective runners, Rebarchek said.

He also said the scholarships provide a little relief to the already hectic schedules the athletes face.

“Student-athletes routinely, all year long, spend 12-17 hours per week at practice and meeting, plus the 12 or more hours we’re gone on a typical Saturday for a meet,” Rebarchek said. “That’s a minimum of 24 hours a week that they could otherwise be working a job.”

The money from the waddle is given to upperclassmen who are receiving very little for the caliber of academic and athletic success they are having, Rebarchek said.

Tom Slaggie and Kathy Hovell organize the waddle every year on homecoming weekend.

Hovell said the race is a way for people to start their homecoming weekend on a positive note, and it gets people out in the community during the busy weekend.

“Tom and I feel that the participants have the ability to have a health based activity held during homecoming weekend, and it is a great way to start the day for the Saturday events,” Hovell said. “People of all ages come out to support the event and WSU by running, walking or pushing strollers.”

Hovell said participants have the opportunity after the race to head over to the homecoming parade and enjoy the rest of the day’s festivities.

Next year’s Warrior Waddle is slated for Sept. 26, Hovell said.