Track & Field Nationals, 2022

After hard and consistent work all season, the highlight of the kids track and field experience was Homeschool Track and Field Nationals, held in Bolivar, Missouri. It is a two day meet held the second week of May, and I'm thankful that we were able to participate in it again this year. 

The meet was on a Wednesday and Thursday, so we drove up to Bolivar on Tuesday afternoon. Last year, we ate at Smith's Restaurant, and I'm pretty sure the kids haven't stopped talking about it since. So, the first order of business on Tuesday was dinner at Smith's!

Brooke and Brecklyn had no desire to go to a two day meet with us. Thanks to the kindness of their grandparents, they didn't have to. They certainly had a blast staying with their grandparents for the time we were away, and they felt like the most special girls in the world. 

The running events for elementary athletes began first thing Wednesday morning. It was hot and sunny, so I was very thankful for our tent!

Abby, Kyrie, Abby, and Brianna

Allen, Luke, and Bren

Bri and Bren both competed in four events on Wednesday and a triathlon on Thursday. They also both went up an age group this year, making them some of the younger athletes in their division. 

Waiting patiently between races.

Abby, Bri, and Kyrie

Allen and Bren

In the 100m dash, Brenson place 3rd in his race at 18.28 seconds. He placed 22/37 overall for 10U boys.

In shot put, Bren placed 7/17 with a throw of 5.7m.

In 80m hurdles, Bren placed 5/9 (earning a ribbon) with a time of 20.25 seconds.

In discus, Bren placed 9/17 with a distance of 12.45m.

Brianna had a tough couple days of competition. It was over 90 degrees, and the heat was really getting to her. She was disappointed in her times, but she did it and she finished! 

In the 800m for 12U girls, she placed 15/17 with a time of 3:56.95.

In the 1600m - after waiting over two hours in the sun for the race to begin - Brianna ran in 9:09.

In shot put, Brianna placed 12/14 with a throw of 5.48m.

In discus, Brianna placed 4/18 (winning a ribbon) with a throw of 14.14m. 

It was such a warm day for competition!

Chris and I were thankful for our umbrellas to keep the sun off of us as we cheered our kiddos on.

Our team ended up being pretty much forced to work the high jump, which meant standing out in the blazing sun for hours. Bren was so sweet to hold an umbrella for Ms. Amanda while she worked.

Wednesday was a tough day. It was long and hot, and we were exhausted after going immediately from the track to bible study and finally to our hotel for the night. Thursday was also a very hot day, and I guess the heat got to my brain because I don't have photos or stats from Thursday. Both kids competed in a triathlon, which included a 200m run, long jump, and shot put. I know they were both disappointed with the place they got (long jump definitely being the weak event for them), but I don't remember what place that was and I can't find the stats anywhere. We drove home Thursday evening and were for sure exhausted.

Both of the kids were disappointed with their performances this year, and we had to have a long talk about expectations and that sometimes things just don't go like we want them to. I know that Brianna works really hard in practice and is frustrated that she doesn't have more natural speed. She sees some of her teammates put in minimal effort and outperform her, and that is upsetting. I think part of feeling so down was just fatigue, but I also had to remind her that next year she will have another whole year of growth and practice and still be in the same age group. Also, some years are building years, and as long as they are working diligently and having fun, then I am happy with their performances.