Good to be a witness

Having an all-weather track in our community is really a cool asset. Being able to volunteer for track meets is something I don’t take for granted. It is something I very much enjoy doing and certainly plan on doing for as long as I’m able to.

At the sub-district track meet a little over a week ago, I saw some great kids competing and improving some earning a personal best for their season or career.

There is a lot going on in the afternoon with a meet starting at 2:30 and ending shortly before 6 p.m. Athletes may start out at the long jump, and then go to high jump or a running event. We do our best keeping track of these kids and the only thing we tell them is that we will get your jumps in.

These young athletes are spread thin at times, but I love their competitive spirit and they do appreciate that we are there to make sure that they have every chance to be successful. We know that the athletes, coaches and parents appreciate what we are doing for these kids.

There are other things we get to see that are very impressive and it is important to pay attention. I was at the triple jump and everyone had gotten in their four jumps except one freshman from Colfax, who had checked out to do the discus after his first jump.

I went over to the Colfax tent and asked one of the athletes that I have gotten to know the last three years if this kid was done with the discus. The athlete, we’ll call D.H., told me he would go over with me to find out.

We got to the discus just as the freshman finished a throw. I asked him if he was done and he said he had one more throw left.

I asked Adam Dirks if the kid could get in another jump and Adam said, “He can get in his last throw right now if he wants.”

That was great. The kid got in his throw and we headed over to the triple jump. Throughout all of this D.H., the senior jumper, was talking with the freshman about his next jumps.

I told D.H. that the freshman was in the 12th and final spot so he was already guaranteed to move on. He looked at me and said, “Don’t tell him!” I didn’t.

Before and after each of the freshman’s jumps, D.H. talked to the kid and coached him up. The freshman improved with each jump by at least three inches.

After that last jump, D.H. was there to congratulate the freshman on moving on to the sub-regionals. It was a pretty cool scene and one I won’t soon forget. I wanted to make sure that D.H. knew how much I appreciated what he did as an upper classman.

I thanked D.H. for helping us get those last three jumps in and the help he gave me. Then I told him that it was enjoyable to see how he mentored the freshman.

I said, “You probably don’t know how important it was that you coached this kid up. He responded to you as a leader and upper classman and I really enjoyed witnessing this effort. Great job and good luck to you!”

It was a long day for these athletes and doing multiple events is tiring and emotionally draining at times. I’m sure the freshman was ready to get on the bus and head home.

D.H. wanted this kid to be successful and get more confidence. D.H told me that the freshman sometimes was frustrated and lacked confidence as can often happen to freshmen.

There were no coaches or teammates on hand to see this play out. I did and it is those moments that make volunteering for these track meets special.