On the Right Track

A student shares his experience in track and field.

Gärrick Buholzer

In track and field, I got to experience amazing things. Meeting new friends, racing, building your stamina, and so much more are all part of the track and field fun that I had! There are many events I had the option to practice from that I could compete against others in meets. These included javelin, long jump, hurdles, shot put, discus, and many different sprint distances. I can participate in 100, 400, 800, and 1600 meter sprints. Track meets are important because they give me the opportunity to see what it’s like to apply what I practiced. Track itself gives my body the opportunity to exercise. In a meet, our school competes against other schools. In each event, distances are measured and compared against other people. Races are a different story. 

In a race there are usually three groups that contain eight racers. One group will race on the track whether it’s 1 lap or four laps around. Then a second and third group will also race the same amount of laps separately. This is done because the track only has eight sections on it. So, if there were thirty-two racers racing, there would be four groups. After the racing is concluded, all the times of each individual racer are calculated. I am good with hurdles, 400 meter sprints, javelin, and shotput. I like those the best out of the other events because those are what I perform better in. In one FIYA meet, I chose to participate in the 400 meter sprint and javelin. I made a good placing with javelin and I made first place in my section of my race! In finals, I made fourth place, three seconds away from first. I am aiming to improve even more.