|
“Riding the pine” is not applicable to any students on the FHS track team. Unlike in other sports, track members spend little time watching from the sidelines.
“With track, we allow all players to participate. There are no bench-sitters in track,” said head boys track coach Dan Hodge. “You can improve on yourself. Even if you don’t place, you’re able to see your improvement.”
On April 10, Flathead hosted CMR at Rawson for the opening meet of the season. Despite missing some key athletes, the Braves pulled off a 77-68 victory, although the winner was designated by points from the last event, the 1600 relay. The Bravettes score was decided by the same event, but CMR came out on top with a 73-71 win.
The main focus of this spring sport is to get students involved and make them better athletes. The 1999 season has a boys’ roster of 82 participants and the girls’ number 106. So why, exactly, do almost 200 students head over to Rawson Field every day for practice?
Track is a sport that keeps athletes in shape for other sports seasons. Junior sprinter and javelin-thrower Alex Athy competes for a number of reasons.
“I think all the great running events help me to get faster for football,” said Athy. “It’s a good time to socialize, too.”
Both the boys and the girls have realized the tradition of past success. Last year, the Bravettes came home with a gold medal, while the Braves placed fourth.
Senior sprinter Aleta Bassett is back in the program this year after spending her junior year as an exchange student in Switzerland. She hopes to end her high school career on a high note.
“As a team, I hope to get another state championship,” said Bassett. “I missed one last year, so I want to get one this year.”
Senior Jacy Olson competes in pole vault and javelin, and enjoys the athletic diversity track provides.
“It offers a wide variety of things to do,” said Olson, “not just one.”
Track also offers a variety in the form of goal-setting. It can be classified as both an individual and team sport and allows students to compete for themselves and a collective goal.
Athy has already defined both sets of goals for the season.
“Individually I want to go a lot faster. I want to go to state for the 100m and 200m, not just for javelin,” said Athy. “Team wise, we want to place a lot better than last year. We have a good team, good enough for at least second.”
Hodge confirms the Braves’ chances of running away with a winning season.
“We have the potential to be a better team,” said Hodge. “The areas where we scored high are all back this year.”
Bassett runs track for the personal challenge.
“I’m good at track and that inspires me to do it more,” said Bassett. “Individually, I want to come back to my previous ability and exceed my expectations, competing in several events. It’s fun competing against others and challenging yourself.”
|
|
