 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Friendship
August Role Model - Gwen Wentland
In Motion
Top photo:Tony Duffy ALLSPORT, Bottom photo: Rod Mikinski-Manhattan Mercury.
 It was not long ago that a gangly little high school freshman staggered into her first track and field meeting, scared of even trying the sport. I thought that people might make fun of me, or that I wasn't good enough, or even that no one would accept me. However, by the end of the year my involvement with the team was one of great fun. I was breaking school records, doing my best and meeting new friends everyday. The teamwork that comes with sports helps me to work towards a common goal. I see myself as a part of the puzzle. Completing the mission is my goal. When I am on the track, high jumping, I want to jump as high as I can. I know that if I do my best this will contribute to the team score and help us to achieve success. Sharing is another part of friendship. Some days it is very hot on the track. When my friends and I are training for competition we share food and water. We also share training tips, advice, training implements and most of all, good conversation. Coming down the straightaway I see one of my friends running for the finish. I begin to cheer her on to the finish. Supporting one another is one of the best things that we can do as friends. When I see that my teammate is out of breath I bring her some water and tell her what a great job she did. There are days when competition doesnít go so well and we perform below what we thought we were capable. Supporting your friends when they are down in the dumps is important too. Finally, respect. Respect will gain you friends and will keep you friends. It is the key ingredient in relating with other people. Running track and fields I have had the opportunity to meet people of varying ethnic backgrounds, social, economic, religious and racial. Respecting other people's backgrounds and ways of doing things has taught me a lot. It has showed me that there is more than one-way to do things right. It has also taught me to be tolerant of things that seem different at first. Participating in track and field at an elite level has given me the privilege to explore all the different facets of friendship. My life is filled with fabulous friends who have come into the picture because of competition. They have come across US borders while competing overseas, and they have come through high school, college and open competitions. Sports have opened the door to friendship, a golden key! BIO: Gwen is one of the Nation¹s top high jumpers. Over the past seven years Gwen has been ranked by Track and Field News as one of the Top Ten high jumpers in the United States. She has compiled an impressive career of three Big 8 championship crowns, four NCAA appearances, three All-America certificates, one National Championship, one American record and one World record. Please visit Gwen's Web site. Here's a little more about Gwen. Height: 5'-11" Weight: 138 pounds Nickname: The Big Cat Hometown: Grand Blanc, Michigan High School: Grand Blanc High School 1990 College: Kansas State University 1994 Track Club: Nike International Coach: Cliff Rovelto Hobbies and Interests: Cycling (mountain and road), fishing, hiking, jet skiing, water skiing, surfing, reading, and writing stories. Other: Parents, Al and Marie Wentland. Al played baseball for University of Toledo. Marie is the Martha Stewart of La Follette, TN., creating artsy-craftsy items everyone can enjoy. Sister, Amanda attended University of Tennesee, competed one year for the Volunteer¹s track program. Amanda is currently attending University of Michigan pursuing a degree in Education. Gwen is a Volunteer Ast. at Kansas State University, working with the track and field team. She also serves as the Vertical Jumps Event Leader for USATF and is the Vice-President of the Missouri Valley Track and Field Association. Please contact her if you have any questions regarding Elite Women's High Jump and/or USATF Membership Information for the Kansas and Missouri region. Email Gwen at wentland2000@hotmail.com " 1995 U.S. Indoor National Champion, High Jump 6 Please send your August entry to KidsRunning.Com, PO Box 209, Fiskdale, MA, 01518. Notice to parents: with a KR PIN your can enter the contest through the email. Please apply for one today for the safety and security of your child. Contact people for Dream Big are Carol Goodrow, Editor, KidsRunning.Com rwedit@rodale.com and Mark Springer, Director of Grass Roots Programs, USATF mark.springer@usatf.org Prizes for the have been donated by USATF, Runner's World, and KidsRunning.Com.
  
|
Editor's Note: Running and writing are more fun when they are combined. Warm up for our upcoming contest. Lace up your running shoes and get out the door. Start up slowly, then pick up the pace and have a great run. Cool down, drink and stretch, then break out that running journal and let 'er rip!
