It’s not always bad to get off track: exploring individuality

Gabi Gerig ‘23 Sports Editor

Icome from a sports-oriented family. We bond over our love for sports as a shared passion. This could mean watching the Brooklyn Nets and the Pittsburgh Steelers at night or competing in our NCAA March Madness tournament brackets.

My father played college basketball, and he encouraged my sisters and me to play sports at very young ages. We followed the traditional model with youth soccer, PAL basketball and high school team sports. Since both of my sisters excelled in this model, I naturally followed in their footsteps. While my heart was never 100% in these sports, it never occurred to me or my family to try something new.

On a whim, I decided to join the track team during the spring of sophomore year. I had very little expectations for myself going into it. Similarly, since no one in my family knew anything about track, there was zero pressure.

The first day of evaluations, I remember feeling nervous. I didn’t know anyone on the team, and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I thought about not going through with it, but I am so glad that I did.

After a few days of evaluation, I was placed in the field events group. Initially, I was disappointed because I didn’t know what that meant, and I wanted to run. Once I realized what the field events were, I felt right at home.

Track is unique. Although you compete individually, there is still a strong sense of camaraderie within the team.

In the case of track, your own success is directly correlated by the work you put in. Finally, I found a sport where my heart was fully in it.

Track ended up changing the trajectory of my life. Instead of playing basketball my junior year, I joined the indoor track team, and I will now be com peting at the collegiate level.

This experience has taught me an invaluable lesson: the importance of trying some thing new. If I had not taken a chance my sophomore year, I would not be the person I am to day. Track has transformed me into a more confident and self-assured version of myself. It has become a huge part of my life. My biggest takeaway from high school is that it is important to try new things when you are young and have endless opportunities. You should not put yourself into a box too early because you might not get to experience your best self.