Times and Champions Remembered
Mary Jean Yon, July 2008
What is it that defines a champion? Sure, we all know what the
dictionary says . But what is it that goes into the making of a track & field
champion? Take the FSU Men’s team for example. They recently entered the NCAA
Outdoor Championship in Des Moines, Iowa as two time national champs and
decidedly won their third consecutive national title in a manner most impressive
to all. What is it that makes a team like that so consistently successful? Is it
having a coach like Bob Braman? Perhaps. The team certainly could not have done
it without a coach but somehow I suspect there is more to it than that. There is
a mix of talent, determination and desire woven together to create a team of
athletes that simply won’t quit.
If you venture out to the next Gulf Winds grand prix race, Breakfast on the
Track on August 16 at the Maclay track, you’ll probably see a lot of talent,
determination and desire there too. Felton and Bonnie Wright came up with this
novel idea in 1998 and thought torturing runners with the opportunity to run the
infamous “mile on the track” would be a nice change of pace for many of us
distance runners. The results have been revealing, if not astounding. Back in
1998, 111 runners showed up at the inaugural race ready to demonstrate their
speed. Over the years, participation grew to a peak of 192 milers in 2006 and
has consistently drawn well over 100 runners each year. The race is run in heats
so that runners compete against others of similar ability. In any of those
years, one could see the same determined spirit that the champions possess. Do
these runners credit coaches? Maybe. Certainly Gary Droze is willing to tailor
his Tuesday interval sessions during the summer months to help runners prepare
for the mile competition. Of course another great motivator for GWTC runners is
the grand prix competition. Grand prix points certainly have been known to bring
out the competitor in many a runner and the mile is no exception. Regardless of
where you find the motivation, I suggest you show up at the Maclay track on
August 16th and experience the fun for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.
Hometown champions are fun to watch. National champs are even better. But the
top prize comes every four years when champions from all around the world gather
for the summer Olympics. This summer brings us the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in
Beijing, China. Track and field athletics have proven to be one of the most
popular and publicized sports on the Olympic program. One of 28 featured sports,
athletics has been featured at every Olympics since 1896. Look for NBC to
broadcast the games August 8-24 entirely in high definition television. It
should be thrilling to watch. And yes, we all know that having the Olympics in
China will not be without controversy from a variety of sources. But when all is
said and done, one can only hope this year’s Olympic slogan of “One World, One
Dream” succeeds in calling upon the world to unite in the Olympic spirit.
Our club has been fortunate to claim an Olympian or two as members and to be
able to watch as various other collegiate track stars make their way to
competition at this level. It makes you wonder how many others are destined for
this moment in the sun, doesn’t it? Think about that as you watch all those cute
kids run the 40 meter “diaper dash” at the summer track series. Or perhaps
there’s a star among the masses at this year’s Breakfast on the Track. That
talent, determination and desire will always be what unites the beginner with
the professional, regardless of the final destination.
M.J.