Even though Columbus North edged out Columbus East 251-154 in Monday’s crosstown Unified Track and Field meet at North, the meet was more than just about winning.
It was the friendly atmosphere and competition that the competitors had that made the event a fun experience for everyone involved.
“I really like it. It gives me exercise, and I had a lot of fun with it,” said East’s Devon Reese, who participated in the shot put and the 100.
In the moment that each Unified athlete feels when everyone cheers them on as they crossed the finish line, they all celebrate like they had won the race. It’s those moments that will bring memories to the them.
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“Whether it’s Columbus North or Columbus East, it’s more about Columbus being the winners,” East coach Peggy Myers said. “It’s a great atmosphere. We love running against North. The partner athletes and the Unified athletes get so much from it. Columbus is showing that they’re about inclusion, and they’re all about what’s best for every kid.”
North coach Nathan VanDeventer agreed.
“Everyone is a winner. That is what makes this whole thing so great,” VanDeventer said. “When the kids finish, you see the smile on their face, and that’s what it’s all about. It brings so much joy and happiness, especially to us coaches and the fans to see how happy they are and being a part of it.
The competition also is a great experience for the Unified athletes to interact with each other and to the partner athletes that also compete in various sports outside of track and field.
“It’s great that the city of Columbus has something like this, when two schools can come together like we did tonight with both teams cheering on both teams,” VanDeventer said. “The kids interacting with one another, that’s something that they’ll always remember five to 10 years down the road. It something that the community is very excited about.”
Individual winners for North included Max Wilson in the long jump Flight 1 (18 feet, 9 inches) and in the 400 Meters Heat 1 (57.34 seconds), Anthony Ashcroft in long jump Flight 2 (12-4), Noah Algee in shot put Flight 1 (45-0), Zach Friend in the 100 Heat 1 (12.03), Ashcroft in the 100 Heat 2 and Randall Watts in the 400 Heat 2 (1:18.21).
The girls 4×100 relay team of Marisol Casteneda, Alana Cook, Kate Kolhouse and Tanner Johnson in 1:07.78 and the boys 4×100 relay team of Ashcroft, Reed Duncan, Dalton Kirk and Jackson Payne in 54.28 also were victorious for the Bull Dogs.
Winners for the Olympians were Jalyn Nelson in shot put Flight Two (26-10) and Nathan Day in the 800 Heat 1 (2:50.43).
