Personal Statement
Track has been welcome change. While it is a team sport, I feel there is a lot of individual accountability.
My freshman year of track was a learning curve. This was only my second year of track and feild. Not knowing really what my true strengths were yet. I knew I wanted to be a sprinter.
Our coach Barry Sartz was new to our school this season. Most people would say I am a shy kid. Barry was someone who I could trust and believe in.
As the season went on I had pulled a hip muscle. I pushed through the pain. Our men’s track team was performing well. Districts came. We won as team and, me as individual moved to the State Race in 2 of my events.
4x100 and 4x400
Our 4x400 team did not move on from prelims. However, our 4x100 team won State!! With 2 freshman, 1 sophomore and 1 junior.
We will be together again this next season.
When my season ended I had my hip treated and tried to heal over the summer.
Summer came and went. I was still not 100%. Football started and still not feeling by best. I fractured my lesser trochanter. It devastated me. My season of football was over, possibility no basketball. It was very difficult to wrap my head around what had just happened. I had huge success last track season and now this.
So many things went through my head, was I going to be able to run again? Was I going to be as fast?
Just one week after hearing about my fracture, the coach I trusted and admired had suddenly passed away.
I was crushed!!
Track for me will never be the same with out Barry Sartz. I will have him in my heart every time I run on any track. He was my biggest fan. He pushed me to be the best and keep digging deeper.
I will forever be grateful to the man who made me the State Champion I am today!!