200 Track ooking back on the track season, players agreed that winning or losing retreated to the background; people became the most important factor of the game. Pictures of races came to mind--Shelly Fratus gracefully breaking the intermediate hurdling record, Lyn Strickland raising the high jump record to a level that will stand for years, or Eric Fillinger and John Oswald in the 10K, both wanting to win while hoping the best for the other. Others qualified to attend NAIA Nationals in Los Angeles; the team worked together. Each ran his own race but never alone. Teammates screamed encouragement and advice, praying for no injuries and quality performances for their fellow athletes. Winning on the score sheet did "Winning.. .Came With Breaking Personal Records." - Coach King not matter; the wins came with breaking personal records by using God-granted talents. Coach King characterized the team by quoting John 13:35,"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have one to another." The team dismantled the divisions between teams, different events, and class distinctions. As in the women's NCCAA record-setting 400 meter relay, victory depends on the part ofthe race where the runners must work together--the baton exchange--not each separate leg of the race. The people of the team did more than run; they worked together to show the love of God to each other. When people think of track, they say something like "I can't do that," but sometimess they are wrong. Jane Romig Brooker started running with this kind ofan attitude but defeated it by qualifying for the Olympic Team Trials in the 800 meters with a time of 2:04:88. Jane's attitude at track meets never said "look at me"; she realized that God gave the talent, so lie deserved most of the praise.
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