Sorry I haven't been writting to much in my blog. Been busy. Going to try to squezze one more out before I go on vacation this weekend and be gone for a week. Stay tunned.
One week ago, I went to the Ohio High School State Track and Field Meet held in Columbus, Ohio at the Jesse Owens Track and Field Complex on the campus of THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. Well, it is just 15 minute drive from where I live now so it was pretty conveinent. I always like to go there and watching it since going there for the first time in 1997 and watching my teammate J.J O'Rielley run the 3200 meters there my freshman year of High School when he was a junior and I was a freshman.
The first time I went there it was held at Ohio Stadium before they took the track out to add more seating for football. But, I was amazed and impressed with how the meet was run watching all final races in all divisions ( I, II, and III). I think after that is what really taught me what hard work and dedication really meant. I mentioned that distance running started my freshman year of track back in my 14 years of distance running post, after watching the state meet I started to train for cross country next school with hopes that I would become better and one day make it to the state meet before my high school years were up.
I came close my sophomore year in track in the 4 x 800 relay but with the problems at Tuscarawas Central Catholic it didn't happen.
http://dmoneystwocents.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-blood-sweat-and-tears-literally.html
I transferred to Tuscarawas Valley my junior year as I was getting back into shape I got hurt right before the district meet, junior year. However, it turned into a blessing and a major turning point. I healed up and trained like crazy during that summer of 99 and it paid off my senior year with qualifying for the State H.S. Cross Country Meet. Also, I was a major part of the 4 x 800 relay team. I was put into the anchor leg of the relay and helped the guys qualify for the State Meet with a 3rd place at the Regional Meet in Division II at Zanesville. I fell short of qualfying in the 3200 Meter run with a 5th place finish in 9:55 (they take the top 4 for each event to move on) but was excited to be going to the State Meet.
Yet, the State H.S. Track Meet was held in Dayton at Welcome Stadium from 1999-2003, which wasn't terrible except there was no place to escape the heat unless you go underneath and it only sat 11,000. But it still was a great experience that we were able to compete even though we didn't do to well.
Finally the Meet was moved back to Columbus at the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. This is a great facilty for Track and Field even though it still has enough blecher seats to seat 11000 like Welcome, but there is room all over to watch the meet and a little bit better places for slade to escape the heat. Was able to watch the entire meet with my old H.S Cross Country Coach, my good friend Matthew Whitis, and the whole Whitis family. I observed many races including during the Div I Boys 300 Meter Hurdles two kids one from Bellefontanie and Lebanon intertwined in the finals. One of them was slightly leading with less than 100 to go but fell on the 3rd to last hurdle and fell into that kids lane interfearing with the other kid. The other hurdler who had to jump over the kid that fell knock down the last hurdle of the kid that fell and they both got disqualified which I knew that most likely that would happen.
From officiating meets this past year I knew what it was like to be put on the spot. At the OCC Meet in Hillard I believe in the Capital Division, during the Girls 4 x100 relay I was one of the judges or I should say umpires at the last exchange zone in the relay. The Hillard Bradley girl fell into Big Walnut's lane during her final exchange and interferred with Big Walnut's exchange and BW girl dropped their baton. I told the old lady offical who had the white and yellow flag I see something has happened and I think you should put up the yellow. She didn't. It didn't help that Big Walnut's coach was there and saw almost the same thing and 2 other officals backed me up and thank godnesss they did and the right call was made. Bradley got DQ and Big Walnut was able to finish their relay at the end of the meet and recorded the fastest time.
It made we learn a lot about what I have to do and what I need to do in order to become a good offical when making those tough calls. I think now I have a great amount of respect for track officals or any type of sport officals. You may not always agree with what they decide but they are there to make sure that the playing field is level and everyone plays by the rules. I have only have done this now for a year but I've come to try to learn a whole lot more as I go along and I am very thankful for the other officials, athletic directors, and helpers at the meets that make things go so smoothly. I can now say I have viewed track meets as an athlete, spectator, volunteer coach, and now as an official. I can only hope to one day look from it as a parent.
I have always enjoyed competiting and watching track meets. However, over the years the track doesn't seem to like me back. I feel a little more beaten up after running the track then a road race over the years. I think it tends to be how my form and the way I run tend to play a part but I still love the sport and I entend to keep giving back from what I did as a voluteer coach a few years ago but now as a track offical.
Seeing the athletes compete and reach for their goals whenever it be making it to state, or just trying to get a PR and still be happy is just one of the many small reminders of how I came into running and still enjoy competing today. I believe I will continue to see many more great things not only to keep me motivated but still humbled as well.
I'm D-Money and that's my Two Cents!!!
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