April 20th is what many would call a national “holiday.” For some it’s a regular day, and for others it’s an excuse to dissociate from the world. However, this article is not about the celebration of cannabis usage, but why this 4/20 was such a special day for me.
‘Cortland Classic’ is one of SUNY Cortland Track and Field’s annual track meets, along with our senior day. Following the two day meet weekend, the team gets to have a reception where families, friends, athletes, and coaches come together and highlight our seniors academic, athletic and other external achievements.
The first day is usually a mixture of events including races and events such as: 100m trials and 100/110m hurdle trials, half of the men’s decathlon and women’s pentathlon, pole vault, hammer throw, javelin throw, etc. The second day consists of the 100m and 100/110m hurdle finals, triple jump, shot put, 400m hurdles, high jump, 800m, etc. The second day is also when we acknowledge our seniors.
This was my second year ‘hosting’ the reception and every year it seems to get more emotional. The track and field team is one of the larger teams on our campus and for us to be sending off so many people each year, as an underclassman the realization and reality check that hits is unimaginable.
Saturday was a special day for our seniors simply because it was their last (competitive) home meet, and we showcased their dedication and achievements throughout their collegiate athletic careers. This was a way to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work, commitment, and contributions that the seniors on our team and campus have exemplified.
I had the pleasure to announce each senior, give them their personal poster sized senior media day photos, and touch on where/what they’ll be doing post undergrad life.
Some of my closests friends will be graduating either this Spring or next Fall semester, and to be able to send them off into the adult world felt personal.
Coming into this program three years ago I didn’t know a single person. If you asked me if I thought I’d have a relationship with any of these people by the end of their collegiate careers, I would have said no.
The lessons they’ve taught, the dedication they’ve shown, the inspiration they’re leaving, has all shaped me into the captain/teammate I am today.
Cortland Classic will never only be about the track meet, but the seniors that make up the team. The people who have dedicated the last four years of their (undergrad) life to a sport that may have carried them throughout their whole lives, or may have been recently added to it.
Next year, I will be a senior being recognized for all my accomplishments and its crazy to say. Track has been a part of my life for a long while. Alongside, these amazing people I have encountered in this short span, have made the sport more enjoyable and easier to maintain.
You may not care about these people or this day, but I always will.
Photo Creds: Travis Iwuagwu Graphic: Autumn Pittman