When it comes to track, it’s always about who ran the fastest, jumped the highest or threw the shot or the discus the farthest. But sometimes there are stories, GREAT, INSPRATIONAL STORIES, that don’t have to do with who won.

For instance, I remember watching the local news in the fall, I think it was, and there was an amazing story about a young lady (she may have been from the Youngstown area), who was competing in the state high school cross country meet and was almost near the finish line. Then came a gruesome sight. She broke her leg on the course and fell to the ground.

But this young lady had the courage and fortitude to crawl and limp her way to the finish line, despite being in obvious pain.

It was a story of incredible self-will. This young lady needed medical help, but she didn’t want it. She was withering with pain but she wanted to finish that race, and if you watched the video, you couldn’t help but get a little emotional, knowing she was in a world of pain. But watching her will her way to that finish line, regardless of the pain she was experiencing, was breathtaking and moving.

The yound lady gave a great television interview a few days later and it was great to see she was doing well and was in good spirts. I think she even joked that all she was thinking about, when she went down, was that she wasn’t going to be able to dance at her sister’s wedding later that night.

I witnessed another incredible story, but it didn’t involve injury. A few years ago I was covering a regional track meet at Ravenna and the Copley girls were favored in this particular relay event. As the race began, Copley was right there, as expected. But during one of the exchanges, the baton was dropped and the team was out of the race.

The young lady who dropped the baton was devasted. I mean, I had never seen an athlete more distraught. What I found out later was that the young lady was only a sophomore and there were two seniors on that relay team. The sophomore felt she had blown it for the seniors because it was their last chance to make it to state.

She was on the infield of the track, as the race was still going, slumped over an emotional ball.

She just shuddered and shook as she cried.

Then, former Copley standout Carrie Dyer, who was a senior and on that relay team, ran to the young runner to comfort her.

Then the rest of the realy team followed.

To me, that was one of the most inspirational stories I had ever witnessed.

The sophomore was heartbroken. But she was heartbroken because she cared about her teammates and wanted to perform at her best so that it would help the seniors.

It didn’t happen. But when it didn’t happen, the seniors weren’t mad, bitter or upset. They showed support for their younger teammate because they loved her. And in the end, winning didn’t matter.

So, with that, I’m asking readers to post any inspirational stories you witnessed, in track or any other sport, that didn’t involve someone winning.

A story where someone overcame odds to get where they are. Or a story about teammates helping one another.

Those are the most compelling stories.

Working conditions are important to you on your job. So why shouldn’t they
be important to sports writers and radio and television comentators who cover
high school football?
There is no cry-baby in me here. Just a plea to have a place to work
that has nothing to do with creature comforts, but with having a proper place
to provide what in many ways is a service to local schools and fans.
To wit, Summit County has some of the worst press boxes I have ever seen.
Schools in Stark and Medina counties are far superior, top to bottom.
Rick Noland, a fine reporter for the Medina Gazette, mentioned the
deplorable press box at Hudson in one of his recent columns.
Media everywhere has learned the hard way that some Summit County press
boxes don’t even have THE bare minimum to work, ie., a phone line.
I have seen radio commentators have to string phone lines from the
concession stands in order to call the game.
Many schools understand the value of media coverage and have taken steps
to upgrade their facilities.
Believe it when I say that radio, television and newspaper people ignore
certain stadiums and schools
because it is easier to go elsewhere. Remember, every night there are many
games to cover.
It is also distressing because many of these substandard facilities are
among the best programs in the area.
I am not afraid to risk consternation by giving you my least favorite
places to cover games in Summit County. Alphabetically,
Archbishop Hoban
Copley
Cuyahoga Falls
Hudson
Nordonia
Tallmadge