"Every man's life is a fairy tale written by God's 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. Workout's 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).
