So far it has been a terrific track season. And it is early! Warm temperatures have made the transition rather rapid and the early performances have been outstanding.
On the collegiate level, Flathead graduate Matt Quist has had several good weeks of high jumping for the Grizzly track program. A couple of Saturdays ago, Matt broke the seven foot barrier by going 7’1’’ in Missoula. He is well on his way to loftier events as he has met the minimum qualifier for the NCAA regionals.
At the high school level, there have been some early qualifiers for the state track in the high jump as Sawyer Silliker of Whitefish, Micah Bucy of Flathead, and Logan Taylor of Bigfork have qualified for the state meet.
Why am I paying so much attention to high jumpers? Well, I was one! So I like to know what is happening around the valley in that event. I also enjoyed many other events but that one was special to me.
Reflecting back on my track experiences, I always enjoyed the competition and actually enjoyed the simplicity of the sport. Think with me for a minute. Track is basic to many other sports yet it is a sport all by itself. It is an opportunity to compete in foundational movements that are basic in nature like running, jumping, and throwing.
In fact, there is evidence that young people who participate in track actually do better in other sports over those who do not participate in track. It is by far the best cross-fit program in high school sports. Athletes who perform in track end up excelling in soccer, cross country, football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, or even golf.
Track coach Dan Hodge, a member of the National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, from Flathead High believes participation in track is the key to becoming a better athlete. He says, “I have seen it over and over again in my 43 years as head track coach for the Braves. Those who compete in track excel in other sports over and against those who do not.”
This makes sense, does it not? All other sports have elements of track in them. In track there is sprinting requiring explosiveness out of the starting blocks and speed – pretty handy in football, basketball, soccer, wrestling, softball, and volleyball. There is also distance running, which focuses on endurance and running technique as well as closing speed. Basketball and soccer come to mind as well as any sport that requires constant movement. The high jump, long jump, and triple jump all lend themselves well to sports that involve getting off the ground like basketball, volleyball and football.
In addition, it used to be that athletes competed in more than one sport during the school year. Whether it was fall, winter, or spring, there was a sport to compete in and they signed up and participated. However, many young athletes are starting to specialize too early and I believe this hurts, rather than helps, them in the long run.
In many of the smaller schools in the state, you participate in everything because if you don’t, your school won’t be able to field a team. This is especially true for track. Because of this, some of the best athletes in the state are coming out of smaller schools. If there is a Montana player on the college roster in the state more than likely they came from a smaller school and they participated in track.
Yes, it is track season! Go check out the cross-fitness of track and see athletes develop before your eyes to their fullest potential as they learn to compete and excel in foundational movements.
Jeff Epperly is a Kalispell native who grew up playing sports. Now he enjoys watching his kids doing the same.