Angela’s Events

My oldest boy is in 7th grade.  He started participating in his school’s track program this year.  We have done soccer, baseball, basketball and football.  But never track.  All of this is new to my husband and myself.  We can give him advice on how to hit a baseball, or how to dribble the soccer ball, or how to guard someone in basketball, but track is different.  We can offer no advice.  Which is probably a good thing for my son, as I am sure he prefers it that way!
We did not think that he would place in any of the events.  Don’t get me wrong.  He is a quick little guy.  But that is just it….he is little.  He is 13 1/2, weighs 85-90 pounds and is about 4′9.  But despite his”littleness” he is an athlete.  Things come naturally to my boys.  But when you go to a Jr. High track meet, you run into boys who have begun their growth spurt into manhood - for lack of a better phrase.  Some of these boys are well over 6 feet!  Most of their voices are beginning to change and their muscles are beginning to define.  And there sits my little guy.  He is by far the smallest student in his class, and so far, the smallest one on any of the sports teams that he has ever played.  But that does not stop  him.

I was so proud on his first track meet.  He placed in all 3 of his  events.  He placed 2nd in the 200 and 3rd in the 100 and the 4 by 1.  I was so thrilled.  We originally told him not to  expect to win during his first year of track.  That the 8th graders are more experienced and bigger than what he is.  But my son proved us wrong.  It doesn’t matter how big he was.  He had determination that we saw in his eyes as he was running.

Do I think he will win most of his races?  Absolutely not.  But what I love about track, is that he looks at his previous times and is starting to compete against himself.  Now…if I can only give him a few inches before he begins school next year, that would be the icing on the cake!