I’ve covered multiple different high school state events, and I must say the track and field meet impresses me the most.
As a fan, there’s so much to watch during the state meet, which will be held this weekend at the Mount Tahoma Stadium for the first time. You can simply gaze over the different events and watch your favorite.
Down on the field, though, it’s a very different perspective.
I’ve never seen so many athletes with as much focus in their eyes. The district competition is the second-to-last meet that prepares them for the biggest meet of the season.
The athletes have trained up until that very moment. So much is built up over the course of a season — or even a four-year high school career — that to see them perform and achieve their goal is great for statewide high school competition.
During the West Central District championships last weekend, I watched and interviewed a number of Gig Harbor and Peninsula high school boys and girls who advanced to the state meet. So much emotion and energy is put into each event that it brings an extreme amount of happiness or letdown when they either meet or are denied their opportunity to compete with the best in the state.
Some have never experienced the feeling of matching up with the best, while others are looking to improve on their previous state marks.
And then there are those who feel denied the opportunity because of a disqualification. Gig Harbor senior distance runner Nathan Page is one of those guys.
The track official said Page put his arms out to split two runners. WIAA rules say if a runner’s stride is changed, that person is disqualified.
You would like to think a guy who finished third in the Class 4A 800-meter race with a personal-best 1 minute, 55.91 seconds would not be affected by such a small and questionable judgement call. But he’d never advanced to state and was very happy with how he finished.
Gig Harbor was denied the appeal.
There were a number of other athletes or relay teams who were disqualified who were sure-shots to advance to state. But a guy who had been injured early in the season and come on strong to set four consecutive PRs is an unfortunate circumstance. Page should feel proud of his accomplishments.
Generally speaking, nothing can replace going head-to-head with the best, no matter what the sport. But track and field says, “Here’s an object, let’s see who can throw it the farthest.” Or, “Here’s the beginning and the end, let’s see who can get there first.”
Track and field has the strongest sense of raw, human talent combined with skill. That’s competition at its purest and most objective.
Although every athlete is extremely motivated to compete this weekend at the state competition, having it at Mount Tahoma has brought some mixed emotions for the local athletes.
Many enjoyed the experience of traveling to Pasco for past state meets. Maybe it’s the change of scenery that made them feel like it was a very important event. Others said they like the track at Mount Tahoma better than the one in Pasco. Maybe having the district and state meets at the same place provides continuity.
Plus, it never hurts to know you’ll be able to sleep in your own bed.
Whatever the case, what matters is to remain focused and not let all the attention get to you. Many will end up under-performing because they get too caught up in the moment.
What’s required is to treat the 100-meter dash or the javelin like it’s just a regular meet. Harness everything you’ve learned mechanically, physically and mentally into that one event, and execute your game plan.
The ones who win state championships will be those who work from the inside out. Seizing the moment begins by believing in your training and knowing that, whatever happens, you’re going to do your best.
Just hope that you’re best is better than the person beside you.
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