Ranch Reflections are articles written by LRHS students and staff who want to share their experiences, thoughts, and concerns. This is a great opportunity for Mustangs to branch out beyond traditional news stories. In this edition an LRHS Mustang recalls joining the track team.
Addison Gentz – Mustangs Ahead
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) -- High school sports have always been a huge part of the American teenage experience. It is also something I had never participated in....until this year.
Many teens chose to participate in sports like cheer or football. But I chose to join the track and field team.
When you think of track and field, you may assume that I run, but running was never my thing. I’ve tried running in the past, but I never fully enjoyed it.
That's the main reason I didn't join during my freshman year. I thought you would have to run if you joined. But a friend of mine helped me see that you don't have to run.
I felt left out when my friends would hang out with their team members, because at the time I didn’t have any.
But now, through track and field, I’ve met so many people with the same goal as me, to win.
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Even though track and field is technically an individual sport, you still need your teammates.
Sophomore Delaney Buttari and I cheer each other on at every meet and practice.
The coaches also want to see you try new things and improve in your event. Lakewood Ranch High School is fortunate to have five track and field coaches dedicated to select events.
I throw all three field events; discus, shotput, and javelin. I see myself trying the jumping events next season if they need extra people. I enjoy the throwing events; it allows me to showcase my strength and power.
At the first meet I attended, I placed third in discus and fourth in javelin.
I train four days a week out in the field hoping to improve for each week’s result. As a sophomore I have already had the opportunity to throw in both varsity and junior varsity (JV) meets.
As the season goes on, I hope to throw even farther and place in every meet that I attend.