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Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Competition is competition
Western Arkansas, AR
By: Nate Olson
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Photo(s) By: Kyle Danztler/MyActionPortraits.com
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Hats off to athletes competing in non-traditional sports
When I was in high school a group of basketball players petitioned the school to start a boys’ volleyball team.
With little organization or backing, the athletic director quickly dismissed us. We even threatened to go out for the girls’ volleyball team. We were a group of guys that didn’t play football that wanted to do something besides run cross country (More power to you guys and gals that can long distances.) We loved playing volleyball in gym class and some of us were good. Finally, we abandoned our cause and played pickup basketball through the fall.
Fortunately, for our kids in the Natural State, the athletic options exceed ‘The Big Three’ — football, basketball and baseball. In this month’s magazine we feature some of the non-traditional sports like cheerleading, rodeo, rugby and motocross. Kids in Northwest Arkansas enjoy those sports as well as soccer, wrestling, gymnastics swimming, martial arts and ice hockey. There are options to fit every kid’s talents.
I’ve always admired the athletes that play Olympic or other non-mainstreamed sports. A football player knows recognition is a byproduct of his success. The long hours in the weight room could produce, yards, wins and headlines. Often, cheerleaders and dance team members arrive at school before the sun rises to perfect routines to entertain fans at halftime. However, cheerleading has become even more than just a spectacle. Cheerleading teams compete in competitions around the state and region, performing intricate routines that include acrobatic “stunts.” If you don’t think a cheerleader is athletic, just try doing the splits or back-flipping across a gymnasium.
It’s not easy for athletes playing a new sport, either. Rugby teams travel around the state finding opponents. Wrestlers face the same struggles. Fortunately, there are supporters like Little Rock businessman Greg Hatcher lobbying for wrestling to be sanctioned by the Arkansas Activities Association. Last summer, Hatcher had 18 wrestling programs last summer. The number increases to 45 this fall and its competitors are eligible to win AAA state championships. If it weren’t for Hatcher and coaches across the state (some that are still learning the sport) there would be one less competitive avenue for kids.
Don’t forget about kids that aren’t competing at school. Some kids started taking karate or Tae-kwon-do classes in elementary school and began competing in tournaments. Young girls made the same transformation in gymnastics. What started out as tumbling lessons evolved into training for ‘real gymnastic meets.’
I haven’t forgot about you cowboys (or girls) or X-Gamers. Your dedication is intense, as you risk your safety to play your sport. I read a story about teenage Motocross racers that broke numerous bones and sustained other injuries. That’s commitment.
This issue is one of 1,000 reasons I love my new company. The High School Sports in the name doesn’t mean a select few. We cover them all during the school year, and this issue is the icing on the cake. Keep competing and having fun. More coverage and recognition is on the way.
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