My Journey as a Track and Field Athlete: Trials and Triumph

Every mans life is a fairy tale written by Gods finger (Anderson). Competing in track and succeeding is my fairy tale come true. Working hard towards reducing my track times changed my life for the better. I see my track goals, of being the very best in the region and in the state, as being only seconds within my reach.

The spring of 2000 was my first season of high school track, starting at 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning with the team warm-up jog and stretches. Both Coach Owens and Coach Summerville were amazed by my speed, questioning why I did not run my freshman year. Practices continued, with our first track meet just around the corner I pushed hard to attain the speed the coaches felt I had within me. My coaches knew I was fast in the 200 meter run, with times averaging 26.16 seconds. This was good, but they said I could be better. They were right! My times improved and at the State Track meet I ran the third leg of the 800 sprint medley, running my 200 meters in well under the 26.16 seconds I averaged earlier in the season. I contributed to our relay team earning the State title of being fourth in the entire state.

As my sophomore year quickly came to an end my coaches confronted me about running the 400 meter race. They saw more potential than I did. I was afraid, afraid of the length, the competition and most of all the idea of failing. Even though the coaches knew my fear they still encouraged me to run the 400. I reflected on how true their previous belief in me, then so I reached deeper down inside myself and said ok. We were off and running as the training began at the beginning of my junior year. Workouts became longer and harder. The coaches belief proved true; I had stronger abilities. Through their encouragement I learned a great lesson; If you pull from deeper down within yourself you can succeed. Someone once said Failure teaches success (author unknown). However, my mothers saying You can overcome your fears of failure and attain success by trusting God more accurately reflects my success. With Gods finger writing my life, anything is possible. My success in track makes me grateful for the awesome coaches God used to push me forward, past my fears. The rewards of overcoming my fears through their encouragement came at the Regional Track Meet when I took first in the 400 meter race. An expression of joy ran through me!

My self esteem came alive as I earned the titled of 4A Regional Champ in the 400 meter race. Soon the time would come to prove I was better than most girls outside of my region. As State competition arrived it was my time to prove hard work pays off. Not only did I compete in the 400 meter, but also in the 800 sprint medley and the 4x1 relay. When preliminaries ended for our medley and 4x1 relays we unfortunately did not qualify for finals. Ashley Owens and I were the only two sprinters left to prove the quality of the girls track program at Liberty High School. Ashley, a freshman, competed and placed first in the 100 and 200 meter race; leaving me to earn the 400 meter title.

When the 400 meter race began I was focused yet nervous, scared, and so afraid of failing. This is how I am before every race, only this time I felt more stress as my lane assignment, lane one, is the lane that I absolutely hate. The gun man said sweats off ladies then he proceeded with on your marks and the seconds crept by before the gun finally sounded. Eight girls were off and running for the title of State Champ. I took off running filled with will power and excitement! As I crossed the finish line so did three other girls. It was to close to call; it was a photo finish as we were all within one-hundredths of a second of each other. With a time of 59.65 seconds I earned the title of being sixth in the whole state of Colorado for the 4A 400 meter race. I must say, I am proud of what I accomplished and the titles I earned. My awesome coaches taught me hard work pays off and you can never set your goals to high.

Starting in on my Senior year I have again set high track goals for myself. I believe I can pull even deeper from within and earn the title of State Champ. I am striving to attain my dream of being State Champion in the 400 meter race. With three other girls, I visualize coming together at State to run and win three relays, 4x1, 4x2 and the 800 Sprint Medley. If we all reach down within ourselves I believe we can earn the title of State Champions in these relays. As a team captain, I visualize winning the girls all around State Championship, coming back to an assembly at Liberty to celebrate our success and hanging a banner in the gym proclaiming Girls State Track Champions 2002. This year, I again hope to prove that hard work pays off and that you can never set your dreams or goals to high. If God be willing I will help earn and hang the banner.