Track: “Ending on a High Note of Praise”
Rebeccau Urrutia
May 5, 2009
Filed under Sports, Track & Field
Twelve gifted athletes traveled to Winter Park last Friday to represent CCA’s Track and Field team in the 1A State competition. From hurdlers to high jumpers, the track meet consisted of over fifty teams, each of which were determined to leave with as many medals as they could by placing in the top eight of their event.
Track and Field Director, Coach Wayne Cole says that the meet was unforgettable. “State Championship in track and field this year was a powerful event. It was not only a time for the highest competition for the athletes but also a time for reflection for the team. As we approached the last day of competition, God had a message for us that He made clear as we looked into His Word as a team.”
Before the races began, the Eagles gathered around to read 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Despite injuries, the Eagles learned what it means to trust in Christ and in His strength. And He came through for them. . . allowing them to glorify Him through their many medals. Seventh grader Alia Hammer was the highest scoring athlete from CCA. Placing fourth in high jump by tying her personal record at 5’2’’, Hammer not only gave her team five points, but also proved that she could compete against people well over her age.
The girls 4×8 team placed sixth in the state and ran a race that nobody would have wanted to miss. Dominique Kelly, Cassandra Borton, Caroline Pauls and Emily Groenveld are experts at exchanging the baton, for they beat their previous time by over fifteen seconds! Eighth grader Emily Groenveld also classified in the open 800 meters, in which she placed eighth with a time of 2:23, three seconds faster than her previous time.
The boys 4×4 team also ran an excellent race, placing eighth in the state. Ulises Garcia, Joey Imhoff, Kyle Whitley and Dominick Pierre definitely used their speed to glorify God in this competitive race. Junior Dominick Pierre, who also competed in 110 high hurdles, says, “We had a lot of obstacles in our way, but all-in-all we relied on the Lord’s strength and He came through for us as we medaled!”
As track season came to a close, a new chapter is starting in many of the lives of the athletes. Pierre says that he plans to “have loads of fun and success in spring football as I get ready for my last high school football season.” Coach Cole says, “Through it all it was a time of growing and maturing and celebrating a season well fought, and ending on a high note of praise to God for accomplishing great things in and through His own.”