By Tino Magana Guerro,
Staff Writer.
Big Cat was an event hosted by the track team at Santa Rosa High School on March 7th. There were around 30 teams that participated from all around the Bay Area, bringing nearly 1500 athletes to Santa Rosa High School. Big Cat included 16 track events, and was a season-opener for most of the teams attending. It was started 30 years ago as a teaching/learning meet that started in the 90s and still serves that purpose.
A highly competitive event in track are the relays. Relays are team events; you can’t just rely on yourself to do all the work. Athletes must rely on communication and practice to successfully handing over the baton. Freshman Paisley Kelsey, one of the winners of the 4×1 relay, said “after the 4×1 relay I felt very proud of my team and myself. I had a great time overall. It takes a lot of teamwork and practice to get that baton in your hand. Once that metal rod hits your hand you’ve got to go, and just go with it and have fun.”
Off of the track, competition was heated at the discus and shot put rings. In the discus ring, there was a line of tents set up by different teams to relax and have shade while they waited for their flight or event to start. There were many kids who were throwing for the first time like sophomore Martice Lohner who felt proud of himself. “I felt very excited and proud of myself for what I achieved!”
There were long jumpers, high jumpers and pole vaulters on the side of the track eagerly waiting for their turn. They would jump or vault off the ground to clear the bar. Notably, sophomore Teague Jasper from Healdsburg attempted to set a new meet record at over six foot seven, but fell just short.
Two meet records were broken this year: the men’ s 1600m (broken by Owen Dawson of Analy), men’ s 800 (broken by Cameron Jones of Carillo) and the men’ s 400m (broken by Mason Howell of Vintage).
At the end of the day we have to be thankful for adults that came out and helped. Although it was hectic at times, they were working hard on a hot day. If it wasn’t for them stepping to measure distance, running the snack bar, timing and even setting up we would never have Big Cat.
