There Ya Go
All student-athletes have their own reasons for playing a high school sport.
Some always have their eye on a state title, or garnering as many plaques, ribbons and awards as they can before graduating.
Some join a team for the social aspect, despite knowing they might not play that much. Both good reasons, for sure.
But how many do it without caring a lick about trophies and state championships? How many join a team even though there’s a pretty good chance they won’t gain an ounce of recognition.
That’s Cohen Radke, a second-year runner for the TMB cross country team. He doesn’t run because a doctor told him to get more exercise. Radke epitomizes what we once romantically believed was the spirit of high school sports: to compete and have fun. And Radke also says he runs to stay in shape.
Oh yah, physical fitness. Forgot that one. Cohen has never finished a race in first place. In fact, he’s usually the last one to cross the finish line. And if you ask him, he’ll tell you he’s just fine with that.
I admire Cohen for that — for his persistence and priorities.
At last week’s cross country meet in Tracy, there was Cohen, once again bringing up the rear. He was doing his best, and that’s all we should ask of any high school student-athlete, no matter if they’re the star quarterback or some anonymous runner. As I watched Cohen navigate the ups and downs of the golf course, I listened to how coaches and parents yelled shouts of support and advice. It’s great to hear, albeit sometimes a bit annoying. I also heard an older gentleman yell something at the lastplace Cohen: “You don’t have to finish, son. You don’t have to finish!”
Now, I don’t know that this man’s intention was, but if you ask me, that’s the opposite of support and encouragement.
Was he encouraging Cohen to stop, hop in the golf cart behind him and call it a day? He was actually suggesting that this teenage kid doing his best give up?
I was bothered at this man’s comment. He might have thought he had the best intentions, but that’s not something you yell at a kid trying to finish a race.
I’ve heard all kinds of statements from parents at high school athletic events over my three-plus decades of covering sports at that level. I’ve heard swearing. I’ve heard belittling. And I’ve heard some good things from time to time as well. But what that man yelled at Cohen is something that will always stick with me.
Cross country isn’t easy. There is uneven ground, and there are hills to traverse. Even the top runners — the ones with long legs and -10% body fat — struggle sometimes. The perpetual reality for Cohen is many last-place finishes.
I bumped into the young man on Saturday and told him how much I commend him for sticking it out in cross country and coming back for a second season. I also asked him if he heard this gentleman’s comments.
He said he didn’t, that he was “locked in.” Thank God for that, because it doesn’t take much to demoralize a kid at that age — to turn a fighter into a quitter.
Knowing Cohen, even if he had heard this man, it wouldn’t have done any damage. It’s my hope that knowing what this person said will make him stronger and motivate him even more.
