In The Loop

Awkward that I'd be writing about loops when they're people out there right (maybe reading this) who would characterize me as "loopy." And, that's not saying enough. Sometimes, I'm really off my rocker...but I'll just get to what I mean.

In track and field, athletes usually run in loops, called the oval, or parts of the track. And, I'm not one to boast or make rave reviews about any oval action, but a product of The Principia, Cedric Diakabana, through some prodding and faithful encouragement discovered that at the Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, they have a men's track and field team. Though, the team does not have an indoor (the women do), he survived as the only walk-on candidate to stay through time trials with the team.

I have slimmed down his email, with parts pertinent to this blog:

"To give you a quick update, coach, I made the team, after running 5 events at the time trails. I ran the 150, 600, 300, 4x400, and 800. Everyone had to run, not just the new guys, the cross country runners as well (only 600 and 800). It was extremely intimidating. We ran all of them outside because we don't really have an indoor track, in-fact they are in the process of building one for us. The one actually have has only 4 lanes, and it is at the basketball arena, and there's been a lot of basketball games going on. Each of those days we ran the time trails it was either raining a lot or freezing cold. We ran the 800 in early December, and it was about 34 degrees outside. Well here are my times:

• 150 meters: 17.4 sec
• 600 meters: 1:22. 1 (2nd place)
• 300 meters: 35. 8 sec (3rd Place)
• 4x400 meters: 49.7 secs (1st place) I ran the first leg on my relay team
• 800 meters: 1:56.1 (3rd place)

I guess the coaches were impressed by my 600 and 800 times, and they have I hope that I will get better. So far I am the only walk-on left who made the team. Some of the recruits and guys who were already on the time from years before got cut. We actually had a couple of seniors either get cut or quit the team because of the pressure. Overall, the time trials was a great learning experience.

Mrs. Jane Reider gave me a quote to study by Mrs. Eddy, "Perfect love casteth out fear." I would always tell myself before each race that there was nothing to fear because I loved the moment, and the opportunity to even tryout among "division I" runners. They have not updated the roster yet, however they have our season schedule up on the athletic website. We open the season on February 1st and 2nd at Kentucky, against the SEC (Florida, Tenn, Georgia, Arkansas, LSU...ect)."

I found these times to be quite impressive. Cedric had let the sport of track and field take a backseat, because he concentrated on attending community college for general ed courses, and like...finding himself, etc. But, he stuck through and LET it happen! Now, all that he has to do is hold onto his dreams and work hard. It's great when you have contact with student-athletes that go on to do good things and make the most of their life experiences, then come back and tell you about. Even if I never coached him, I feel proud to have been a part of his only year at Principia College. I'll find a way to attend one of his meets. Well, we'll see...I've gotta run!