THE MEET

State Track Meet

“The most important thing is that he’s dedicated himself as far as his approach to track is concerned,’ Coach Hernandez said. “He’s worked a lot harder this year and really stayed focused throughout the later part of the season. His focus has been so good.” In 1998, my junior year in high school, I made a pact with myself to make it to the Texas University Interscholastic League’s State Track and Field Championships. In my family, we came from a long line of track and field competitors. Though none of my them had ever accomplished the dream of making it to the big state meet, I knew if I was cooperative by keeping me dedicated and focused, their dream would become my reality.
The Texas 5A state track meet consists of eight of the fastest runners from the biggest schools per event, so this was apparently no walk in the park. I knew many sacrifices on my part would be made to fulfill my dream. Football was the first sacrifice I made, because I...