Sydney's First Track Meet

In May of 2017, Sydney competed in his first track meet. He had been going as a spectator for two years, but finally became eligible to compete in the Kindergarten division. He competed in three events. The 100 meter dash, the long jump and the 50 meter dash. His first race was the 100m. He ran an effortless race. Some athletes make it look easy, like they are not exerting too much energy, not trying very hard. Sydney looked like he was out for a Sunday stroll, without much sense of urgency. He finished in 19.18 seconds, which is a great time for his first 100 ever. His second event was the long jump. Again, he cruised through it, seemingly without exerting much effort. His best jump was 4'8". When it came time to announce the medalists, Sydney crowded around with anticipation. This is the first I realized he WAS motivated to win a medal... In his final event of the day, the 50m; something clicked. He ran with a purpose!! The focus and intensity was definitely there! He ran a great race, and as he passed the finish line, he was SO excited, claiming "I won in 3rd place" Alas, he was edged out for 3rd place, and finished in 4th, barely out of the medals.

Preparing for his first event ever

Action Shot: 100M Dash

Long Jump Approach

Long Jump

Videos

Sydney's First Track Meet: Long Jump from p wang on Vimeo.

Sydney's 1st Track Meet from p wang on Vimeo.

Track and Field, 2016

Towards the end of track season last year, we asked Casey if he wanted to continue with track and field. He said, "No, its too much running". You got me there kid, track DOES involve running, after all... Fast forward to Spring, 2016. We asked him if he wanted to do track this year, and his answer was a resounding "YES". Recently, he had his first track meet of 2016.

His first event was the 50 M dash. He ran a P.R. (personal record) of 9.82 sec, placing 3rd in his heat. This effort earned him a medal!

His next event was the 100 M dasgh. He ran 18.17 sec (another P.R.), again placing 3rd in his heat, earning another medal!

The next event he entered was the Long Jump. He jumped 7'7" (another P.R.). This effort won him 1st place, and his 3rd medal of the day...

Then came the surprise of the day. Apparently, Casey wanted to channel his inner Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis and earn a fourth medal. He wanted to participate in the softball toss. In all his meets last year, Casey opted out of the softball toss. This time, he brought it up, and wanted to do it. His first toss traveled 48', good enough for 1st place and his 4th medal of the day.

A big thanks goes out to little bro Sydney who patiently supported Casey all afternoon long!

Staring Down His Rival

On The Medal Stand

The 100 Meter Race

Long Jump Action Shots

Celebrating His FOUR Medals

Little Bro Sydney Counting Medals

Track Videos

See post below for the back story on the videos.

The first video is his first 100 meter race ever. It also culminated in his first medal ever. (He is in a blue shirt, black shorts, bib #161)

20150426144232 from p wang on Vimeo.

Listen carefully at the 0.5 second mark, he exclaims "I got a medal". I love how he looks at it with a sense of pride and accomplishment right after he says it. It's almost like him saying it made it sink in. Then, at the end, all the excitement gives way to the urge to pee!

20150426144328 from p wang on Vimeo.

I Got a Medal

For those of you who don't know, Casey is very competitive. He always wants to be first, always wants to win. In basketball, he rarely waits around to rebound a shot, he's too busy running to the other end of the court; not because he is cherry-picking and is trying to get easy layups, but rather because, he wants to be FIRST down court. Of course, that's not how basketball is played. So, Daddy came up with the brilliant idea of having Casey join track and field, in which the name of the game is run, and run fast.

Usually hesitant to try new things, Casey agreed to try track once we assured him there would be other kids there. His first practice went well. I didnt know just how well until the end, when he was SO excited to get a race bib for the Track Meet!

Fast forward 4 days until meet day. His first event was the long jump. I'm not even sure if he practiced the long jump, but he took his approach and jumped into the sand pit. He reached 5'1", good enough for 5th place. Not bad for his first time out!

His second event was the 50 m dash. When the starters pistol discharged... He just stood there, finally he took off running. During the race, he was looking around at the other runners. Even considering, he finished in 11.41 sec, good for 4th place in his heat. Unfortunately, only the top 3 finishers get medals. Afterwards, Daddy explained to him about listening for the starter's pistol and then immediately running. Then I realized, "How was he supposed to know about the starter's pistol?" No one explained to him that was what was going to happen, and that a guy shooting a gun into the air meant the start of the race. Rookie mistake on MY PART!

Bib Number 161, in Lane 1

His last event of the day was the 100m dash. With the start and the wandering eyes corrected, he was running in 4th place for most of the race, until he 'walked down' the runner in the lane next to him, finishing in 3rd place, and WINNING A MEDAL! He was so excited, and said, 'I did it, I won a medal'!!! In a photo finish, he ran 21.06 sec.

Finish Line Photo

Showing Off His Hardware