Nationals: step it up
Andrew Dodson
Issue date: 3/12/09 Section: Sports
When I walked into the hall for the opening ceremonies to the Division II National Championship Festival here in Houston, Texas, my ears were greeted by the sounds of rapper 50 Cent, my nose smelt exotic seafood, and my teammates and I watched athletes from Saint Augustine College and Lincoln University get their dance on. Hardly the imagined scene for an event that is the caliber of a national championship.
After my teammates - Jared Krout, Aaron Falk, Amanda Putt, and Marta Scheiwe - and I found out we qualified for the national meet just a week ago, we took a structured and serious approach to our training and carried that with us down to Houston. Other athletes, or so it appeared that night, were more concerned about showing off their moves on the dance floor.
The Division II National Championship Festival is a great concept - bring the top athletes in the three contested winter sports and have them compete for the title, "the nation's greatest," but thus far (we begin competition tomorrow), it's more of a spectacle than a championship event.
Don't get me wrong, I've had a great time taking in the city of Houston, hanging out with athletes from the GLIAC and meeting new athletes on the way. On Wednesday, we went to the track for our first practice and the championship vibe began to settle in, but for many schools, nationals is not a privilege, it's expected. Each year they make the big show, and frequently, they win national titles. It might seem unfair to us at Hillsdale, who train at the hardest possible level and might walk away with nothing, that these super athletes from state schools cakewalk to victory.
Last year's track and field championships, held in Mankato, Minn., embraced a serious, symbolical opening ceremony where the athletes would wear their Sunday best and enjoy a sit down meal.
This year, we were actually told to show up in our team warm-up apparel. It lacked professionalism and organization.
I'm not here to complain though. I feel blessed to be here, as are my teammates and the Charger swimmers who also qualified for the swimming championships. We are going to lay everything on the table in order to bring home All-American honors, or even a possible national championship. I just wish this year felt more like a national championship.
Track and field competitions begin this Friday, and swimming is already underway. It's a privilege to be a Charger, and while some aspects of this sports festival may lack professionalism, our coaches, my teammates and fellow athletic-colleagues and myself can ensure everyone back home that we are competing with the utmost amount of class. And if all goes according to plan, we'll bring back some hardware.
After my teammates - Jared Krout, Aaron Falk, Amanda Putt, and Marta Scheiwe - and I found out we qualified for the national meet just a week ago, we took a structured and serious approach to our training and carried that with us down to Houston. Other athletes, or so it appeared that night, were more concerned about showing off their moves on the dance floor.
The Division II National Championship Festival is a great concept - bring the top athletes in the three contested winter sports and have them compete for the title, "the nation's greatest," but thus far (we begin competition tomorrow), it's more of a spectacle than a championship event.
Don't get me wrong, I've had a great time taking in the city of Houston, hanging out with athletes from the GLIAC and meeting new athletes on the way. On Wednesday, we went to the track for our first practice and the championship vibe began to settle in, but for many schools, nationals is not a privilege, it's expected. Each year they make the big show, and frequently, they win national titles. It might seem unfair to us at Hillsdale, who train at the hardest possible level and might walk away with nothing, that these super athletes from state schools cakewalk to victory.
Last year's track and field championships, held in Mankato, Minn., embraced a serious, symbolical opening ceremony where the athletes would wear their Sunday best and enjoy a sit down meal.
This year, we were actually told to show up in our team warm-up apparel. It lacked professionalism and organization.
I'm not here to complain though. I feel blessed to be here, as are my teammates and the Charger swimmers who also qualified for the swimming championships. We are going to lay everything on the table in order to bring home All-American honors, or even a possible national championship. I just wish this year felt more like a national championship.
Track and field competitions begin this Friday, and swimming is already underway. It's a privilege to be a Charger, and while some aspects of this sports festival may lack professionalism, our coaches, my teammates and fellow athletic-colleagues and myself can ensure everyone back home that we are competing with the utmost amount of class. And if all goes according to plan, we'll bring back some hardware.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Aaron
posted 3/22/09 @ 6:14 PM EST
Yup. It was SB '09!
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