Cougar Corner: Prepare for upcoming challenges
Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, May 14, 2008
If someone were to tell me my career as an athlete was over as of this next weekend at the 1A State Championship Meet, I would laugh.
Let me rewind a little. This last weekend, I attended my last district meet at Baker High School. In the 400-meter dash, I managed to scrape together a time that placed me second in our district and sent me to state. My other races were not quite as fortunate, though still enjoyable.
Trending
Compared to my junior year, some could say I regressed since I am only attending state for a single event. However, looking at my growth this year, I am totally satisfied. Of course, it would be great to return to state for multiple events, but that’s not where I am at as a person or an athlete anymore. I am not only coping with the present day, but preparing for an up-and-coming life change that redefines my goals. I want to be accomplished, fit, and happy. Those are pretty basic, but they are my priorities.
I don’t look at this next weekend as my last participation in athletics. It’s a transition between high school competition – where I had the aide of teammates and coaches – to intrinsic competition, where I compete with myself and my goals for lifelong fitness. It will be interesting to switch from running for a place on the podium to finding myself through running.
Recognition through high school athletics has molded me as an athlete and as an individual. I appreciate the opportunities it provided. However, I will continue to challenge my personal growth. After this weekend, when I have finished my last race and am no longer on the high school playing field, the applause will have to come from within.
Mallory Turner is a senior at Wallowa High School. E-mail comments and questions to mootsie102@hotmail.com.