I like running and basketball, but I’m not too good at it either (shoulda made the basketball team though, but I go to a school with a majority of jewish students, and the coach was jewish and I’m Indian). I do both for fun with friends when the weather is nice and I have spare time, but I also do/attempt to do them competitively. I want your inputs on whether or not I should do Track and Field in the Spring.
Facts related to Me/Track:
- Everyone makes JV (unless you don’t actually run) but Varsity insanely difficult to make (need a sub 4:40 mile for 4 Varsity points, you need 12 points to make the team)
- My mile time is near the lower end of 6 minutes (record: 6:03) and my discus is around 80 ft (pretty awful)
- I am by no means “fast”… my good friend runs a 5:23 mile and an 11 minute 2 mile, and a bunch of kids in my school are state/national sprinters
- I am kinda expected to do track by peers because I am good for my grade level (my grade is pretty slow compared to the whole HS) and really like our “Track Crew”
- It’s really chill and keeps me in shape (external motivation)
- Eustress but tiring and time consuming (Friend came back from winter track meet at 1:00 PM yesterday night)
Can you guys help me make a choice? My heart says yes but my brain says no…
If your heart says yes, go for it.
I’ve been competing in track (indoor and outdoor) for the past 6 years, and I absolutely love it. I typically make it to the sectional and state qualifier meets, but never past that so I’m not exactly a superstar. I participate for the friendships I’ve made and the fun I have.
I would go for it, especially because your heart is saying yes. Since you’re not a superstar, I’d assume that you’re not planning on doing varsity track in college. My take on the situation is that you’re not going to have many more opportunities to participate in track so you’d might as well take advantage of it!
@SoCcErTrAcK2016 haha, what you said reminded me of a funny story. Last year, I made the State Meet for Discus, but our 400 runner had a concussion two nights before, so I (a crappy long distance runner who’s even worse at sprints) had to replace him. Threw an okay discus (5 out of 16) but came dead last with a 1:20 in the 400 (my mile 1 lap split is 1:32, so I REALLY suck at sprints). Slap on a cape and call me Usain Bolt!
You’re right guys, I was thinking too much, and overlooked the reasons why I loved sports with such large groups; the people involved. Who gives two damns about how fast I run or how far I throw, I do it because I get to spend time with friends, and that is irreplaceable. Thanks guys!
Because “the coach was jewish and I’m Indian” Really? Or maybe somehow he thought your attitude was going to hurt the team. Can’t imagine why…
Your coach is a racist because you’re not on the team?
I did not realize that basketball games required praying together or is that not what you meant? Oh, I guess not. Sure, make sense to me. After all we know that a basketball coach would reject a better player to have all the players the same religion because we know all sports coaches value faith and religion over winning right? Sure, great players are rejected all the time because winning is kind of a low priority for high school sport coaches.
I’m not sure about the heart thing but wake up your brain. It needs exercise!
Yes, sports are worth it because students learn about being good teammates. They learn how to discipline their time and they learn about themselves.
Every baseball, tennis, soccer, volleyball, swim coach that my children have ever been involved with cared about stats and winning. Some also happened to be human and accepted anyone who wanted to try or put in training effort during off seasons.
I can’t believe your coach would reject you if you were a really strong competitor; coaches want to win with quality athletes. They will do everything to play fast, strong and winning competitors even when you’re feeling ill.
I think it is very unfair of you to assume that the coach didn’t want you because you weren’t jewish. Do you spend extra time on your sport besides just being for fun? Do you participate in regional tournaments? Do you volunteer for fundraisers that bring in your sport fundraising dollars? The coaches see that.
If you want this as an EC, then you need to compete in community functions and build up your skills.
Sorry if I was unclear, but because of the race commonality he knows most other parents of kids who tried out (parties, barbeques, religious services, etc.). No non Caucasian made the team for Freshmen, JV and varsity (except one African American kid).