Free Writing #1

Have you ever...
Won divisionals for the discus? It's the most exciting feeling in the world! The adrenalin that courses through your veins and your mind, the excitement buzzing all around you, your team, and your coaches. Nothing in my life has even come close to comparing to the happiness i encountered that day.
This was what I call my first "real" track season, seeing how I went to Stillwater and their school really didn't have much for a track team much less a throwing team. But here at Glacier my rookie year I won the event I love and worked my butt off in. I spent all of the winter training and working out in order to have a grand and successful season. Track is my passion, the discus is my love. You see my mom threw the discus in high school at Flathead and her senior year she threw over 145 feet still holding the record at Flathead. She is my coach and my inspiration and I'm going to beat her record and hold it here at Glacier.
When I threw 104 feet at the beginning of the season I was ecstatic. I knew it was going to be a great season! Then we had a meet in Whitefish and I went down hill from there for about three weeks. I worked harder, spent more time at the discus ring, lifted more, stayed later, just hoping I would regain my longer distances in throwing. I got the opportunity to be coached by the two time Olympian Jarred Rome. He gave me a few pointers and with his expert help I threw the disc over 120 feet. This distance was farther than some of the guy distances. I was proud and excited. I could never hit that distance in a meet though. I could never get that flow, that relaxation, that rhythm running through my body again. When the time came for the divisional teams to be chosen I was chosen because I had the second best throw in the season but I was so nervous! I kept wondering what I would do if I didn't make it to the state meet. Would I let my mom down? Would I let my other coaches down? What about my team mates? I had so many worries.
We were all out warming up, me and my four other team mates. Getting ready for the big moment. I was throwing in the last flight putting me with the best in the west. I was nervous and told mom about my nerves. She simply told me that if your nervous, that means your ready. I didn't believe her. We each got three throws then the top 10 would go to finals and get three more throws. I threw my first throw out of sector. This was a disappointment to me and everyone. Mom would always tell me to get my best throw first then the pressure would be off me and I could just relax for the next two. Well my body and mind decided to ignore her expert advice. I then had my second throw after a few coaching tips and the good news was it was in sector but was only about a 95 foot throw which would get me into finals but was not good at all knowing that my best was 111 feet 9 inches.
I went for a jog to clear my head and keep focused. I came back and most of the track coaches were there cheering me on. Some of them who had known me since the day of my birth and others who had gotten to know me just this season. I will never forget seeing Jerry Boschee, Mike McLean, Brad Holloway, Dirk Niebaum, Bree Fuque, and my mom all lined up amidst other coaches there cheering for me. Now Mike has a booming and incredibly loud voice which is why he is such a good long distance coach because he can be heard from any place on the track. He told me to go out there and get after it. I just smiled and walked into the ring, head held high, telling myself I could do it, this was it and I was gonna do it.
I let out a deep sigh thought of my key points I needed to focus on and started into my spin. Getting my hip out over my left knee, kicking my right leg up and through to get to center, shooting my left foot forward, staying as far back as I could with my upper body, keeping the torque I knew I needed, then finally throwing my left arm out to open for my right arm to come and whip the disc around and send it flying. I didn't watch my disc fly but from what my coaches and especially my mom tell me the flight couldn't have been better. I just stood in the ring until the official called mark letting me know I could leave. I walked out and had the biggest and brightest smile on my face because I knew it was the best throw of my career thus far. I stood by anxiously waiting for the official to read my mark for the entire crowd to hear. There seconds ticked by seeming like years when finally I heard him call out, "one hundred eighteen feet nine inches." I screamed, jumped in the air and stuck my tongue out in happiness. I then ran to my mom and jumped in her arms giving her a hug. I knew I was going to win divisionals now. The closest mark to mine was a throw of 113 feet.
We went into finals and sure enough I ended up on top. With everyone I love and care about there cheering me on. I felt so accomplished and with good reason. I stand at five feet four inches and for a discus thrower that is tiny considering my competitors stood over five feet nine inches. When I was on the stand to receive my medal some of the girls were shoulder to should with me and still I couldn't look down on them but right in the eye with them.
I guess my mom was right, "If your nervous, that means your ready." I was ready and this made me the best in the west.