When I was in 7th grade, my parents told me track was an option for a spring sport, and asked me if I wanted to sign up. At first I was hesitant because I didn't know exactly what track and field was; I've seen videos of Usain Bolt, but that's about it. My parents then told me that I was naturally athletic and could do the sport to get faster, and that it could benefit me in other sports I do. Once the season started, I was very nervous since I never really ran and had no idea what I was getting myself into. The coaches told us that since it was the first practice, we’re mainly doing condition drills. I figured it would be light drills like push ups, jumping jacks ,or any basic type of running. Yet that was far from the truth; coaches told us to warm up with an 800m (which is 2 laps around the track). I had no idea what it was, so I asked one of the coaches and they told me it’s 2 laps. I then finished my two laps and noticed that I wasn’t too out of shape, so then I realized that I wasn't too bad at running, and had some potential in Track.

After the first week of practice, my anxiety started to cool off and I started getting comfortable with running, yet I wasn't expecting too much out of myself knowing it was my first year of doing a new sport. My coaches came up to me and noticed how hard I was working and told me that I could go places in track, if I just set my mind to it.

It was already the day before our meet and the first couple weeks had flown by. I was still pretty nervous; I had no idea what to expect, maybe I was gonna do good, maybe I was gonna do bad. I told myself to not get into my head too much and I needed to just focus on doing the best that I could possibly do. The first rolled around and I got ready for my first event, the 400m. My whole body was shaking and sweat was dripping down my back; I got myself set in my blocks and I heard the countdown. 3…... .2……1….GO!, i flew like rocket right of my

Blocks, the wind was pushing my back, but I still tried to fight and push as hard I could. I got to the last 100m of the race and I went full tunnel vision; I felt like I was running in slow motion. I then passed the finish line…and I got 3rd. I wasn’t too proud, but I was proud that I at least placed well in a sport I've never done. That’s the only thing that mattered for me

After the first meet, I worked twice as hard as the first two weeks of practice. I kept telling myself that I would get first in the next meet, and that hard work pays off. The second meet rolled around, and I got set up for the 400m, only this time I wasn't nervous; I was ready. I waited for the countdown. 3….2…1…GO! I ran out of my spikes searching for the first-place spot. I ran past everyone else, I got to the end, and I got First! I was so happy, and it was then that I realized hard work does pay off and that if you put your mind to something, you can achieve anything.

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