Before I entered the world of real estate, I taught math for 7 years and was the head track and field and cross country coach at Life Christian Academy in Tacoma, WA. Coaching cross country was a lot of fun, but it was a completely anonymous sport, and we were up against football and cheerleading so it was tough to get the good athletes out.
Track and field was different. The first day of practice marked the first day of spring, in my book. Yes, it was often cold and rainy or sleeting, but it meant that warm weather and the end of school was right around the corner. I miss being out on the track and hearing the ping of the baseball bats coming from the field below. Track and field brought a wide array of kids into a common training ground. Throwers and distance guys, vaulters and sprinters, the kids couldn't have been more different but were all together for a common goal.
As I drove past Gig Harbor High Schoolyesterday I saw a beautiful thing on their reader board: "Spring Sports start today"! I drove through their parking lot to their back fields and just watched for a while. The track team was pulling out all of their gear, the pinging of the baseball bats over on their fields, the squeak of shoes and the dull pong of the tennis rackets up on their courts. I love spring sport season for high schools, and I miss being a part of it.
If you live in the Gig Harbor area and are looking for something fun to do some afternoon (and FREE, too!) stop by GHHS or Peninsula High School and watch a baseball game or a track meet or a tennis match. Gig Harbor's track and field team has been among the tops in the state for the past few years, and watching a meet makes for a great afternoon.
If you're a parent of a younger child who likes sports, take them to a Gig Harbor or Peninsula High School baseball game. It gives them somebody local to look up to, and gives you a great excuse to spend some time outside with your kids. Many of your children have probably never even seen a track and field meet, but what kid hasn't run or jumped or thrown something? One of the beautiful things about Washington state track and field is they even have wheelchair races and throwing events for those kids who physically aren't able to run or throw the way others can. Looking for some inspiration for your kids? Gig Harbor High coach Patty Ley is somewhat of a local running legend, holding many distance running records both at GHHS and Pacific Lutheran University, plus you can see the care and love she has for her athletes. Peninsula High coach Joel Wingard is a coaching legend, and member of the WIAA coaches' Hall of Fame. Be inspired by these coaches and how they draw the best from our area kids. You may find out that a neighbor, or member of your church, or that kid who bags your groceries at Safeway, has an athletic talent you never knew about!
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