It is a sport...

   Running. It is something we all have been doing for years. Many people I have talked to say "Running is not a sport because it is too easy and anyone can do it." Yes we can all run. However, can everyone run at a competitive level? I personally say no. Running at a competitive level takes psychological strength, emotional strength, and physical strength. In this blog post I will be telling you why Track and XC are sports, the great runners that have walked the same halls I have that would argue the topic too, and why running is special to me.
   The definition of a sport is an activity that takes physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team attempts to score points and beat their opponents. Track and cross country takes endurance, speed, jumping ability, coordination, and strength. All that combined is extreme physical exertion and skill. Cross country is scored a lot like golf. The lowest score wins. The place that you finish in a race equals the amount of points. So first place is one point, second place is two points, and so on. Track on the other hand is the exact opposite. The highest score wins. The place you finish equals a certain amount of points. First place is ten points, second place is eight points, third place is six points, fourth is five points, fifth is four points, sixth is three points, seventh is two points, and eighth is one point. From ninth place to last place get no points in traditionally scored track meets. However, in some track meets everyone scores. Everything I just explained are the qualities of a "sport." XC and Track takes physical exertion, it has a points total, and you attempt to beat your opponents.
   There has been many great runners that have gone through CHS. Runners that have went on to run in college, be Olympians, or even coach. All three of these runners that I am telling you about would stand on a soap box and preach how track and XC are sports. I look up to all three of these runners. The first one is Mark Smith. He currently holds the 1600m, 3200m, and 5k records for CHS. He went on to run for Eastern Michigan and be a steeplechase alternate for the US Olympic team. The second one is Kris Eggle. He never held any records. Never had a lot of glory. However, he is considered one of the greats because of his attitude and leadership. He still achieved all state honors and was a conference champion. The biggest thing Kris is known for is being the most positive runner. He went on to run for the University of Michigan and then was killed defending our country on the border. Kris is the runner I try basing my running off of because of his great leadership and attitude and then also being a fantastic runner. The final runner is Paul McMullen. Paul is the one I have grown closest to. Paul has mentored me through all four years of my running career. He has given me tips and helped a lot through the way. We went biking weekly over the summer, he runs with me in the winter, and he is there to watch me on the biggest meet days.
   And finally. Why running is so special to me. Running is my escape from real life. I could be having the worst day ever and right when I get to practice it is a new day. My team is like family and no other sport is as close as we are. Winning awards like All State and All Conference is great but the close bond I have with my teammates and coaches is what I will take from running the most. Cross country and track deserve the same respect main stream sports like football and volleyball get. We put in the same amount of work as a team and some individuals on the team like myself put in so much more.