In track, there are thousands of events to choose from. With the Shadow Ridge Track Team, sprinters are given a variety of options. Isaiah Bowman, aka the Track Stud, is a senior who takes advantage of these opportunities.

“I am a sprinter so the events I do in track are the 100 meter 200 meter 4×1 and 4×2 relay. I am a senior in high school. I plan on committing either in April or summer to a university,” Bowman said.

The 4x100m and 4x200m relay are reminiscent of the baton races, where athletes run in a single designated lane. The goal is to hand the baton off to the other teammate so they can finish their portion of the race before they are ‘out of zone.’ 

“I’m not aware of my nickname, I feel it could’ve been better,” Bowman commented. “I have been doing track since my freshman year so this will be my 4th year.” For most college scouts, four years is the perfect number to be sure that an athlete is doing a good job. 

“Athletic ability is usually the most important factor, even when college coaches won’t admit it. Their job is dependent on the team securing wins and finding success, so college coaches are absolutely looking for the best athletes that they can sign,” NSCA, an extremely popular college recruiting resource, noted.

However, success does not come cheap. Most sports are said to be 90% mental, and a good athlete has to see how far is too far. This mindset brings in a love for competing and putting abilities to the test.

“What I like about track is the competitive nature of the sport. I like to see who can push me past my limits,” Bowman said.

The FHC, the center for sports information, views track as the most competitive sport in the states, especially due to the viewed simplicity. With simple running, Track needs more spirit to reach the top. 

“However, Track and Field stands out for its unique competitive culture. This sport exemplifies competitiveness as it involves numerous athletes striving intensely for first place or a personal record,” The FHC said. “The simplicity of running means that if you don’t win, there’s no excuse other than not being fast enough. Even at the high school level, the competitiveness in track is unmatched. Thus, I believe Track and Field represents the pinnacle of competitiveness among Olympic sports.”