Every year hundreds of students from across the state gather inside Drake stadium in Des Moines to compete at the highest level for multiple days at the end of May. In this article I hope that by giving you multiple, concrete reasons, I can convince you why state track simply trumps any other athletic experience in Iowa.
It’s the last “Event” of the year
Assuming your school didn’t have too many cancelations due to snow, the end of May would usually be the time that you would be wrapping up the school year. Even if there were snow days or cancelations that pushed your year back into June, it still makes for a great ending. That being said, state track allows for athletes to finish off the academic year with a final race, throw, or jump. It’s a great momentum generator for summer.
It’s the most diverse state experience
If you’ve ever been to state track, you know just how big it can get. Starting early in the morning and ending in the early evening, it likely has at least one runner from every school in the state. Isn’t that pretty special? No other sport in the state can replicate that. There’s something super special about looking around the stands and seeing all the little pods of different schools scattered throughout the stands.
Individual-based success
You would think that a sport based on individuals’ success wouldn’t be as entertaining as the fierce storylines and action of a team sport. You may be right, depending on your own opinions and choice of watching that sport. I would argue that track can have all of that and more. Not only are there favorites for teams to win the meet itself, but often times it’s the individual athletes (or relays) that are the most fun to watch. There are so many star athletes that finally get their chance to showcase their talents and athleticism on a large stage
It’s worth something
Every Iowa High School State sporting event means something. However, there’s just something about state track that’s just above the rest. It’s cool being able to go to state track. It’s the experience. Traveling down to Des Moines is special. The weather is usually great, with plenty of sun.
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