We’ve long known that Daniel and David are extremely athletic.  They took on basketball and baseball this year, and they both excelled (to put it mildly) against other kids, many of whom have played the games before.  They also had a season of soccer, experiencing their first team and season in a sport they have loved since a very young age.  They are stars in that sport and they enjoy working hard to remain that way.  This Spring we had an opportunity to see them compete in track and field, and it too was an eye-opener for us.

Daniel, especially, was able to demonstrate his ability.  As a 4th grader, he was able to compete in the Puyallup School District’s elementary track meet (open to 4th grade and up).  His coach placed him in the 800 meter, the 4×100 relay, and the softball throw.  The 800 meter run was an amazing event – there was a mass of humanity at the starting line (probably 60 to 70 kids) and Daniel got tripped up – twice.  He went down briefly and then came up limping and in last place.  After a few steps limping, he got moving to try to make up his 100+ meter deficit.  Watch this (somewhat shaky) video as he proceeds to pass almost everybody in the remaining 700 meters.  He finishes in 2nd place!

The next week, both boys competed in the local Hershey Invitational meet.  This meet allows kids to compete, by age group, with other athletes for an opportunity (top 2 in each event) to advance to the state meet.  Winners from state then have their times compared to the winners from other states to see who advances to the Nationals in Hershey, Pennsylvania.  This attracts the most talented runners across the nation.

David competed in the 400 and the 200 meter runs, finishing 3rd in each.  He was in the 9-10 age category because he turns 9 this October.  We have video of the 4oo meter (below).  He ran a good race and I think the top 4 times of the meet were in his heat, so his third place finish held up.  Unfortunately, this did not qualify him for state.

Daniel ran the 800 and the 200 in the 11-12 age group.  We did not realize that those events are back-to-back, since very few athletes attempt the two, very different, races.  He did well in the 800, finishing 2nd and qualifying for state – watch the video below.  But he was out of gas for the 200 and finished in the middle of the pack.

In the Hershey state-meet, Daniel ran into a bit of trouble at the start.  There were two slower runners than unintentionally boxed him in.  By the time he broke free, he was well back of the leaders, and his third-place finish is quite impressive!  The video is here.