Dear Editor,
After reading an article titled “Going the Distance: is competitive running the healthiest choice for children?” by Grace Seymore I became very upset. I run for Ferris’ Cross Country and Track teams. Now, from time to time I read the Torch after we’ve competed at a meet and am often not surprised by the lack of representation of the team’s accomplishments at each performance. This I tend to understand, especially when there is not too great of a demand in how the running teams victories play out.
Having said that, after reading the previously mentioned article I was and still am incensed to hear an author remark, “the main difference between peewee soccer and simply running is that soccer or other team sports are exactly that: team sports”. For a representative of Ferris to come out and attack running implying that it’s not a “team sport” is beyond disgraceful, offensive, and incorrect.
Running is just as much of a team sport as any other sport mentioned by Seymore. For example, our cross country team qualifying for Nationals wasn’t an individual accomplishment. It took the entire team to work together and finish in high places to attain a certain “team placing” in order to qualify.
Secondly, every workout we have we work together, we push each other when each of us thinks we have nothing left. We’re positive to one another when we truly need the motivation to run that much faster.
Thirdly, there are plenty of relays throughout track…sure enough those involve “team work”.
On top of the “team work” remark Seymore goes on to say, “running is not much of a social event”. There are plenty of opportunities to make it a social event. One could run with some friends or join a running club. For instance, Girls on the Run has been around for ages and encourages young girls to run together. This is very much a social event that also instills healthy physical habits.
Samantha Johnson
FSU Sophomore