PRELUDE – NIGHT MOVES AGAINST THE WIND
SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY, BUT IT WAS LONG AGO
On the way to the Washington State Meet our team crushed the 4x100 records for the West Central Districts and our North Puget Sound League Championship. We lowered the John F Kennedy school record from 43.5 from the late 70s to 42 flat. We had one thing left to prove.
My day started with great expectation and my breakfast ritual, English muffin with hot tea. The meet opened at before noon in Tacoma with our preliminary heat starting at 2PM. I would still need to attend morning classes and be excused by 8AM. Before trekking to Tacoma, I needed to pickup my letterman jacket. At the time my lovely girlfriend wore it during the year. Unfortunately, being in another city and the inability to drive, she was unable to watch the event. I stopped by her English class to retrieve it. My Track Coach (Mr. Danforth) coincidently taught her class. I knocked then entered, “Coach, I need to get something from a student.” With a nod and “Hurry-up Delasalas,” I strolled to the back. She took the jacket off and handed it to me. I gave her a warm kiss, “Wish me luck?” She replied with a smile. I was ready to go.
AND WE’D STEAL AWAY EVERY CHANCE WE COULD.
LINCOLN STADIUM – Star Track 1986
A year prior, I attended as a spectator. I watched in amazement of the speed, concentration and will of all athletes. As a Sophomore underclassman, I earned a varsity letter. However, to compete at a State Championship was unfathomable. This day not only would I be a participant, my team had the best shot in beating a defending champion.
I arrived to a hot track, great conditions for a sprinter and fast racing. The first event (100 meter dash) started at 11:45. Three of my fellow sprinting teammates qualified for the race. Senior Bruce Harris, a bulk of a man with huge muscle mass built for football. Junior Michael Wright, a fellow classmate and accomplished three-sport Athlete. And, Sophomore Norman Golla, a slender framed sprinter whose results backed-up his cockiness. Three heats determined who would qualify for the evening’s final. All three of my teammates earned spots for the final.
A bit nervous, Coach Danforth settled us down with comical remarks. He sensed a bit of my anxiety and joked, “Delasalas you should be relaxed after making out with your girlfriend in the back of my classroom.” I replied with a red-faced grin. He laughed.
BREAKING ALL THE RULES THAT WOULD BEND
As 2:00PM rolled around, our relay would show case our combined speed. However, we would need to wait until heat two. Our main rival Garfield HS (and defending titleholder) took the first heat in a blistering 41.8 seconds. Our boys look at each other in semi-disbelief over their run. However, it was our moment next. We gathered for our ritual moment of unity then headed to our corners. Michael took the first leg, I took the second leg straight-away, Mike Kunst (Senior) took third corner leg and Norman anchored the final stretch. The Garfield time did not deter us. We concentrated on getting to the final.
Michael bolted making quick work runners outside his stagger. Once he hit my tapped mark it was time for me to rev and roll. I took the baton already ahead of the outside lanes. Approaching Mike Kunst’s semi-grin, I knew we were very much in the lead. He took the baton, and, in a flash, railed the curve to pass the stick to Norman who easily finished first with a time of 41.9sec. Another school-record. Though the time was not ahead of Garfield, it was close enough to provide great confidence heading into the evening.
The lull of the afternoon gave us time to eat and relax in a mall near the track meet. My teammates maintained a sense calm. Three of them would compete for the same individual 100-meter dash championship. We headed back to the track an hour before their race. Each of them had their ritual but as a team we stretched together.
At 7PM, their time came. All eight lanes occupied with the fastest high school boys in the state. My vantage point was close to the half mark about halfway up the bleachers. Runners in their blocks, then a pause and finally the explosion. The sprinters bolted. By the time the sprinters reached my point, a clear winner was evident. Unfortunately, it was none of my teammates. Norman was immediately behind. Bruce and Michael were even to each other but behind the four of the runners. The winner was from Jon Gary from Garfield. The man I would line up against in the second leg of the upcoming relay.
The 4x100 Relay Final fired at 9PM. Michael and Norman were warmed up from completing their individual 100’s. Mike and I stretched. At 6’3”, Mike towered over me. However, we kept a stretching routine to mentally prepare. We maintained a calm, but we could feel a tenseness in the anticipation of the biggest race of our lives.
Mike and I met with Michael and Norman at the endzone nearest to the start line. We circled arm over each shoulder with each right hand on the baton raising it up like Luke Skywalker raising his lightsaber. This would soon be our moment. Mike our Senior classman spoke the last words before the race, simply, “Let’s Go”. With that we headed to our corners.
WATCH THE YOUNG MAN RUN
As we lined up in our lanes, Our team took lane 5 (“The Rabbit” lane) for earning the 2nd fastest time of the afternoon heats. However, Garfield was awarded lane 4 (“The Hunter’s” lane) for taking the fastest time. The Garfield lineup comprised an All-State lineup. Junior Jay Lofton took 1st leg, Junior Jon Gary (recently crowned 100M & 200M State Champion) on 2nd leg, Senior Clyde Duncan (3rd place State 200M) on 3rd leg, and anchored by Mark Phillips (State record holder 300M IM Hurdles, 110M High Hurdles Champion). On paper invincible. However, we met Garfield in the April Highline Relay Invitationals shocking them by being side by side at the finish. Barley losing by only a step. This time they knew who we were and how fast we became.
I marked off my take off steps in anticipation of Michaels speed and baton pass. Prior to the gun sounding, I set up my stance and I looked over my left shoulder. Lane 5 is slightly ahead of lane 4. There was Jon Gary, the fastest high school track athlete in the state in the Hunter’s lane. I knew well that I did not have the matching speed, but, if he was going to beat my leg, he was going to earn it.
I FELT THE LIGHTENING AND WAITED ON THE THUNDER
The gun sounded, Michael was a step ahead of the Garfield Senior. Once he reached my set mark, I took off. My arm flipped back and hand in a V-shape ready to take the baton. Michael placed the baton in the web between my thumb and index, “Perfect Pass”. It was my turn, I churned hard. I made up staggers on lane 6, 7, and 8. I was flying! My joy was short lived. First hearing the steps, then the flash in the corner of my left eye, the lead Michael bestowed vanished. The 100M State Champion bolted past me in a helpless instant. Upon reaching Mike, the Garfield sprinter made up the stagger and gave his team a 5-meter lead.
It was uncommon for the times, but I yelled at Mike in the loudest scream, “GO MIKE, GO!!!!” In those days, quite transitions were the norm. Yet, after our last hand-off ever (and our best), I cheered Mike, trying to will him to go faster. Mike tried to pull back the ground I lost the team, even taking a step from Garfield’s 3rd leg. But as he passed off to Norman, Garfield’s anchor already received the baton several steps ahead of us. Norman valiantly tried to keep pace, Mark Phillips would not be denied his 3rd State Title of the meet.
I WOKED UP LAST NIGHT TO THE SOUND OF THUNDER. HOW FAR OFF I WONDERED
The Garfield relay team destroyed the state record with an electronic time of 41.34 (besting the old mark by .4 secs). For our efforts, we took second place only a few steps behind earning a new school record and the 3rd fastest time in Washington State history at 41.73. Wilson high school took a distant 3rd place, ½ a second from our time.
Our team gathered at the finish line. Grouped together, we shared our disappointment and headed back to the stands to a jubilant coaching staff who were all smiles. Though we didn’t know it, we pushed another team to a record to that still stands 34 years later. We dressed in our uniform warm-ups to receive our awards. We stood one step below the champions. Our faces solemn, it was hard to be happy though much was accomplished. A championship so close.
AIN’T IF FUNNY HOW THE NIGHT MOVES
Mike and I drove to the hotel Norman’s father set-up for the race-weekend. Hanging out for a moment, we asked Mr. Golla for two of his cigarettes. Mike and I headed to the parking lot to recap the race. As we sat smoking, we didn’t want to cry. This was Mike’s last race but I sensed relief that his journey was complete. I had one more year to try again. Mike’s work was done. No more hard intervals and track workouts. He knew he gave his best and he seemed proud knowing he left with a school record. I left him with a half hug and "Rocky-Apollo Creed" hand grip. I would be in his place next year.
I drove back home to make my first call to my girlfriend. Before I could utter a word, she said she saw the results on the local sports news. She was happy but knew I was disappointed. Her comfort over the phone help me cope. I need her soft supporting voice. WISH I DIDN’T KNOW NOW, WHAT I DIDN’T KNOW THEN.
THOSE DRIFTER’S DAYS ARE PAST ME NOW.
My run tonight (34 years later) differed from the all-out speed of a 17 year old. My evening ended into a heavy wind during the last loop. Storm clouds descending upon me filling the evening with darkness. My night moves became difficult against the wind drenching me in rainwater in my already sweat soaked attire. My soundtrack played Seger multiple times into a poetic moment of remembrance and reality. I still cherish that 1986 moment (maybe too much). In the end, I’M OLDER NOW BUT STILL RUNNING AGAINST THE WIND.
1986 Program
https://www.tacomasportsmuseum.com/track-field-programs/
1986 4x100 Heat Assignments
https://issuu.com/tacomasportsmuseum/docs/2004.37.16/22
1987 4x100 Results for 1986
https://issuu.com/tacomasportsmuseum/docs/2004.37.13/22
