Track girls know how to have fun

I am a student track runner at EGHS, where we held our annual EG invite this past Friday. Very little running actually occurred, so one would assume there was very little to say about our meet.

However, ask practically every girl who attended this invite and they will say that it was the best track meet ever. I doubt there were many PR's and no medals were received, but this meet brought about 12 teams together like I have never seen before, nor expect to see again.

After the lightning warning went off for the second time, everyone rushed inside to the field house to wait until the meet canceled about 1.5 hours later. The Grens started off playing a simple game of tag, which quickly morphed into a huge celebration involving almost every team. We danced and had fun until the coaches finally called the meet off.

People may say that nothing was accomplished at this meet. However, the unity of all the girls was so intense and genuine that I beg to differ. With competition getting more and more difficult as the years progress, we tend to become nothing but empty workhorses striving toward goals we most likely will never obtain.

All too often we see girls fall to painful injuries or eating disorders in pursuit of their limitless dreams. Last night, however, we saw the one aspect usually absent from track: team.

Team is what should hold this sport together. It is the bond shared by members that results from countless hours shared together through thick and thin. I saw more girls genuinely cheering each other on in a dance-off than any running event.

Perhaps the most amazing part was that all the teams shared this unity. Other teams were laughing and joking with us rather than at us. We were happy, not hostile. We made track as fun as it should be.

I'm not saying that track should not be competitive or difficult, because it has to be to be considered a sport. I've had my share of winning, and the feeling is fabulous. But there always seems to be a little voice inside that tells me I have to go harder, faster, longer, stronger in order to be accomplished.

Yet, last night, I left perfectly contented, satisfied with the positive energy flowing through me. I was reminded of the reason that I joined track: to be a part of something bigger, to be accepted and to have fun.

I have a feeling that had the weather cleared and we had continued to run our meet, there would have been some amazing times. So much positive energy flowed through that field house that most couldn't help but be happy. Even if no one PR'd, I'm positive everyone would still be smiling.

Gina Erbacci

Elk Grove High School