Amber Slater
Staff Reporter
High school indoor track and field provides constant opportunity. Those who hope to bridge their spring and winter sports can increase speed and endurance. Those who wish to gain friendships can build relationships with students in all grades and social groups. Those who have never ran a mile can lace up their running shoes without the fear of being cut from the team. Due to the inviting atmosphere of the sport, many choose to continue to compete at the collegiate level. Due to the current economy, the Carroll County Board of Education is currently considering cutting indoor track, denying high school students the positive experience of the sport.
James Ways was a seasoned athlete when he began running at Winters Mill. He notes, however, that, “I received more recognition for [indoor] than my two other sports.” Ways broke multiple county, conference, regional, and state records in his high school running career and held the titles of Carroll County Times Male Athlete of the Year in 2008 and WTT Athlete of the Year in 2009. Beyond recognition, Ways counts the friendships he gained as a memorable part of his indoor track experience. “Track has shaped me in many ways, and it just cannot be cut from the budget; it’s just not fair,” he comments.
Forest Fleischer, who also competed in indoor track at Winters Mill, echoes Ways’ thoughts on friendship saying, “You not only gain the discipline of running and working out every day, but you also gain some of the closest friends you will ever have.” Fleischer cannot currently race due to injury. “I get really upset seeing my teammates running when I cannot,” she says, “I cannot imagine if the sport were not offered at all.”
Katie Griffith, who ran all four of her high school years at Liberty, explains, “If it hadn’t been for that first year I ran indoor track, I might have never found that passion for the sport.” Griffith continued to run after high school and is currently competing in her fourth and final season of indoor at McDaniel. Because of indoor track, Griffith attests, “I found a sport that I could participate in for life.”
Final decisions on the Carroll County budget will not be made until May, but current and previous indoor track athletes will not easily let go of the sport that provided the platform for recognition, meaningful friendships, and a lifelong passion.