“State Champion Zimmerman Looking for More in 2017,” read the title of an article explaining my goals and ambitions heading into my Junior running season. Before last spring, Hazen High School Girls Track held two consecutive team championships, I was the defending 200-meter dash State Champion, and our relays had an impressive winning streak as well. I came into that track season with high goals, keeping them in mind every day during training. I prepared myself, both physically as well as mentally, for two days at the end of May: State Track. Before I knew it, that weekend came, and I was determined to cross the finish line before anyone else.
I woke up Saturday morning excited, yet incredibly nervous. Prelims were the day before, and
…show more content…
I knew that I had a battle for the finish ahead of me, for I was going to have the defending champion on my right. Lined up behind our blocks, we kept moving and tried to calm our nerves as the announcer spoke.
“In lane four with the fastest time coming into finals, from Hazen, Grace Zimmerman.”
Without time to think, the gun went off and we ran the first curve with sheer determination. Once we reached the 200-meter mark, my legs already burned, my mouth was beyond dry, but I was slightly ahead. When we rounded the final corner, the crowd roared with yells when they saw my competition and I were neck and neck. We put our heads down and barreled into the strong winds even though we could no longer feel our legs nor see straight ahead. With five meters remaining, we both started to lean for the finish line with hopes of being a champion. We crossed the finish, collapsed out of exhaustion, and looked up at the board to see who won. She cried of joy, I put my head down in disappointment. Nine hundredths of a second separated first and second place. Both of us ran the race of our lives, the fastest as well as the most fun and competitive. I had to be proud of myself for the fact that I gave my all. Plus, I knew the day still had much more in store.
Once my legs were recovered and I got some food and water in me, I began preparing for my upcoming event, which was my favorite one of all: the 200-meter dash. Once again, I found
I ran back up the hill to our camp, trying to move quickly without wasting too much energy, took my inhaler, and rushed back down the hill. Soon, it was time for the race to start. The officials gave an overview of information about the race and how it would start. The official behind us blew a long whistle. We stood, motionless, just waiting for that starting gunshot. Pow! The race was off. I sprinted out of the pack. I tried to find a good pace and settle in. We ran up a few hills, and then we made it to the first entrance to the creek. Unintelligently, I didn’t slow down very much going into the creek. Because I didn’t slow down, I splashed into the creek with a belly flop, almost submerging my whole body underwater. I got up quickly, then began to climb up the mud wall. I clawed at that wall like it was my enemy. I avoided the rope, even though it actually wasn’t that busy at the moment. I was too focused to switch strategies. We continued to run on, passing many fans, their cheers a chaotic blur. We passed through the second part of the creek, which was not nearly as deep. It was only about mid-shin to knee level, so I made my way through just fine. We ran all over the vineyard. I wasn’t feeling too awful. I was just caught up in the thrill of the race! We made it to the cornfields, and there were lots of small hills. I ran through them staring at the ground, and I kept seeing the same pair of shoes. For some strange reason, I kept staring at those shoes. People do crazy things when they run, you could say! Anyways, I passed the person wearing those shoes. We ran away from the corn fields and under a bridge. I was coming closer and closer to the finish. I was struggling to continue, but I would not quit! I pushed through the pain, but by the end of the race, I was just done. I saw the final hill in front of me. It was one of the biggest hills on the course, if not the biggest, and it was definitely the most difficult after
After many days of practicing her breathing, and keeping her knee’s strong it was time for the May Day track meet. As all
I was ready to show off my new gear and wrestle. After the coach did a quick head count we all got on the bus and drove fifteen minutes to Olivet University for the event. We walked in, weighed in as a team, stretched out and got wrestling ready, then relaxed for a bit prior to the tournament starting. I was wrestling at the weight class 133lb, so I was the second match up. I focused in and got my mind right, I was ready. What made me nervous before I wrestled was having to see our 125lb wrestler who’s ranked 9th in the country get beat by a non-ranked wrestler on the other team. I thought to my self “maybe these kids are the real deal?”, then followed it up with “Too bad there’s only one way to find
Greater lawrence, pass him, Sprint. So i finish on the floor dying couldn’t breath properly so i deep breaths and needed water my mouth was dry. After the race was over needed time to process like what happen in the beginning i knew we’re going to face greater lowell next week needed to be prepared for the time being. I needed to fix on my start so i don’t have to be the hero. I need to work on is my breathing it didn’t go so well and how to keep a pace with someone so i won’t lose the guy and cost the team some points if i do that well i’m gold. I needed to workout my legs so they won’t hurt during in races. The most important i have to do is keep my body calm and mind during the race next week. I knew in my next race it’s not all about having speed and it was mostly having a good mentality. So i work on a one week later race against greater lowell again i have done better which i did before at least i had the knowledge of the course to back that up it was a great
I ran as fast as I could, I was tired but knew that I had to keep going. The sun shone down ferociously making it very bright and torrid. I felt sweat drip from just above my brow into my right eye. My eye began to get a burning sensation just as I turned the corner. My muscles ached, but I knew I had to shift into overdrive and pick up the pace. I started to run faster and faster. I began to get the feeling like I was about to throw up, but knew that I couldn’t stop now. I continued to sprint to the finish, and just as I crossed the finish line I looked to the clock and noticed that I set a new PR. The feeling of happiness that swelled up inside me took me back to the practice on the tuesday of the previous week: That day it was hot as fire
My lungs were burning. The wind whipped past my face as I listened to the echos of the cheering crowd. I could see the straight white ribbon stretched across the finish line. I remember complete euphoria as I tore past that ribbon first. Sweat dripping into my eyes, I smiled as I walked off the track. The weight of the gold metal on my chest, was a glorious symbol of all my hard work. I would never get another one for sprinting again.
The day had arrived; it was June 6th, 2015. My four by one hundred relay team, which consisted of Anna Neeser, Lexy Kubasch, Maddie Smith, and myself, had just finished warming up and checking in for our race. Our stomachs were filled with nerves as this was the MSHSL State Track Meet that every runner dreams of participating in. Our dreams had finally come true, and to have such a wonderful coach guide us along the way was a true gift.
In the year of 2017, the month of May was the upcoming state meet held in the lower south of Georgia. Being a 17 year old who is very arrogant about her work that she’s accomplished on the track. La’Necia was only weeks away from the biggest meet of her life, “crunch time” like her coach would always say. Practice after practice,pop off after pop off, and hurdle after hurdle knowing very confident that she was ready for the race. She thought to herself “there’s not anyone that can stop me from winning first place at this meet.”
The season was coming to a close, and at this thought, my chest contracted and my eyes fluttered. The Founders League Tournament was around the corner, and the coaches were beginning to assemble the all stars of each event. Although I was steadily improving my 100m time, the cutoff for running in Founders was at 11.2, and I was off by a tenth of a second. My shoulders slumped and the breeze from the wind hit the back of my neck as my head hung loose from my body. Although disheartened, I was chosen to be in the 4x100 relay team to run at Founders, bringing my head back up. This year, Taft would host Founders, giving us a home field edge. As the date came closer, practices intensified, but my legs felt looser and stronger than ever. Before
Right before Shelby woke up, Coach Benedetto came get me and Shelby so we could go eat a scrumptious breakfast with the team. I had a amusing breakfast with the boys and the coaches. I was sad after breakfast, because we had to leave. Wishing that we all could just stay there forever. We loaded the bus and left the Rushmore Hotel. That is when it hit me. My stomach felt like I had just ate a bunch of butterflies. This was the most nerve racking race ever.
I was on the track running my laps and ruminating on the victory I had just attained. My next match would determine who would win the war. As I ran, a light sweat lathered my body,
Americans love their sports. People are constantly watching games like football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and volleyball live and on TV. There are many factors that go on during sports that keep them going. We all know about the coaches, players, fans, referees, and team owners, but on of the most important part is sometimes forgotten. That part happens to be athletic trainers. Athletic trainers make sure the athletes stay in good health and make sure that athletes recover from injuries so that they can return to the game. Athletic trainers also help prevent injuries from happening. Being an athletic trainer is a career path that involves many years of education and practice. Athletic trainers seem to go unnoticed at many sporting events, but in fact, have to go through tons of education and training and are a major part in health in sports.
The weather is perfect for racing: not too hot, not too humid, not too windy. I dash down the twisted trails in the woods, trying not to stumble on the gnarled roots protruding from the dirt. My spikes puncture the soft earth with every stride, and my legs repeatedly pound on the ground, soreness surging through them. As sweat trickles down my face and dirt smears across my aching calves, I ascend a steep hill, trying to bring forth the strength I have accumulated throughout endless hours of practice. Now that I am nearing the final two hundred meters, I must force my body to begin sprinting. Breathing heavily, I dart for the imminent finish line, trying to beat the uninterrupted tick of the timer. Even though the crowd surrounds all around me, I can barely hear their animated cheers, because all I can focus on is crossing the line before the girl next to me. I can feel adrenaline surging through my body, and I widen my stride to cap off the remaining distance. When I glance at my Garmin watch, a new personal best time flashes across the screen. I realize that all of the gruelling work I have put in is worth the final result: happiness. (Snapshot Lead)
Boy was I nervous! I striped off my sweats, placed my headgear on to cover my ears, and tighten my shoes so tight I felt like my shoes were a part of my feet. I walked out to the scorekeepers to grab my green strap that tied against my ankle indicating, I was the guest. York team wore the red strap indicating it was a home meet for them. Each step I took I felt my heart beating harder and harder. Once the ref explained to us the rules and shook hands with my opponent, the whistle blew and I was already trying to grab the other wrestlers neck, and push his elbow over his head to bring him down to his back. That was a successful move I’d always rely on. The adrenaline kicked in immediately letting me wrestle with all I had. The first match didn’t last 2 minutes. It was a piece of cake at the end, but that was just the first. I had 2 more to go to finish the
I hear coaches yelling their athletes place saying “16,17,18, you can’t let her get you!”. Leaping to get in the top twenty I cross the finish line, a voice in the speaker announced my name and place. “Vanessa Gonzalez eighteenth place!” my legs could not continue, a medical student asked for backup right before I passed out. I opened my eyes to the feel of cold towels and bags on my neck all the way down my body with people throwing water in my