Bath school board deserves credit

On Friday, April 20th, I had the pleasure of attending one of the most exhilarating sporting events I have ever witnessed at the Bath School. It was a Track meet! The boys track team defeated their rival, Hornell, for the first time in over 20 years. This was by no means, a simple accomplishment. And how did the Bath athletes do it?

Late last fall, the Bath School Board approved the establishment of an indoor track program. The first in many years. Of course, many other schools in the Livingston County league and throughout NYS already have this program. So, in the past when track season started in the spring, their runners were already conditioned. Bath was always at a disadvantage right from the start of the season.

Bath School is blessed with an unusual number of superb athletes this season. The distance crews, coached by Todd Ludden, are some of the most disciplined athletes I have ever seen. I have witnessed these young men run miles together in rain, sleet, snow and heat. Many runners ran in numerous events Friday- some back to back. ( 3200 meter, 1600 meters, 800 meter, along with several relays) and were triumphant repeatedly.

Determining which team was going to be victorious Friday came down to the last event. It was the 1600 meter relay. You could feel the excitement in the air! Both teams were urging their teammates on. One runner for the relay team had just finished running the individual 1600 meter moments before. His fatigue was noticeable; however, it did not stop him from giving 100% during his leg of the relay. At the final turn of the last leg, Bath was ahead, barely. The entire Bath boys and girls team starting chanting, encouraging their teammate. The crowd was roaring as Bath crossed the finish line in first. Teammates and coaches (Coaches Hill, Clancy, Ludden and Ordway) were hugging, crying and most of all, demonstrating the most comradery I have witnessed in a very long time at Bath. There weren't any parents yelling at officials about calls or at coaches asking why their child wasn't playing. It was a community pulling together to support their children, fellow students and coaches. As the entire team ran a victory lap, all I could think of was how proud I was of every one of them. I was also reminded of my gratitude to those responsible for this: the school board.

In this time of daily occurrences of violence and turmoil in our world, it is so rewarding to witness something good and pure: Something as unpretentious as winning a track meet. Again, my appreciation goes to the Bath School Board for believing in our students and supporting them in doing something as simple as - track and field. Katharine Ainsworth Bath