(pictured: Austin Rysavy)
Last Friday, May 3rd, the DCC track team finished the season with personal and season best times at the Dickinson Last Chance Meet. James Estey competed in the 1500 meter race and set a personal best time of 4:30.55, as well as running a season best time in the 800 meter, running 2:12.87. Austin Rysavy ran the 1500 meter race and also ran a personal best time of 5:05.51.
Coach Sandy was excited for James and Austin running personal best times, saying, “For the last meet of the season, to run a personal best and/or season best time, that is why we train, to run the best when it counts and James and Austin did just that. They have ran a lot of miles since January, and with the long winter, it was nice to see them both bring their fitness and their mental strength together at the last competition.”
Austin had this to say about his time as a Buccaneer distance runner:
“I am most proud of our accomplishments as a team. We not only accomplished lowering our times but also bonded together to help better each other on and off the track. The last track meet went great. We set out with our goals in mind and achieved them. This year I learned that running is more mental than physical. If you believe you can, then you will. Putting in distance runs gives you time to get your mind right. My favorite training memory was running in Makoshika Park at the end of winter. It was an easy recovery day, so we ran through the park which was extremely muddy. By the time we got back we were covered from our feet to our shorts in mud. I learned that even with being out of shape from a year off, I am capable of doing great things. I got back into shape and exceeded my high school times. I learned you can always achieve better if you try. Overall, I enjoyed how close of a team we were. We had lots of fun together and pushed each other to do our best. Our coaches knew what we were capable of and pushed us to do so.”
James reflected on his time as a Buccaneer distance runner with the following:
“This year in running, I am most proud of my improvement over the course of the year. Something I learned about running is that it is a 24/7 commitment. Taking days off only hurts you in the long run. My favorite memory training here in Glendive is probably the mile repeat workout in 90+ degree weather and getting milkshakes after! In this season of running, I learned that I have a lot more potential and I am tougher than I thought I was at the beginning. My last track meet went very well. Running a huge personal record in the 1500m and a season best in the 800m, I feel I am transferring with a bang and with big expectations for the next track and cross country seasons. Coach Sandy definitely opened my eyes into the running world, and I am beyond glad that he gave me a chance to run collegiately!”
(pictured James Estey)
