LOCH SHELDRAKE- “The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.” That famous inspirational quote has no specific attribution yet it says a great deal about what we all should aspire towards. It challenges us to summon more in all aspects of our lives. Needless to say, it is apropos for runners, jumpers and throwers who have the opportunity each time they compete to summon a bit more than they did prior.

At the developmental meets held at Sullivan County Community College on Mondays, each athlete is primarily competing against himself or herself, trying to go a little bit faster, jump a little bit higher or throw a little bit further than their prior best. As indoor track athletes are competing in specific events, they often go up against the same competitors from around the county. So there is always the desire to do better each week in that regard; to beat someone who has run faster, jumped higher or thrown farther. But that is a byproduct of personal effort and intention. Track seasons always reveal an arc of progress for those who are seriously engaged.

Meanwhile, coaches with their stop watches and notebooks are keeping track and looking for things that will enhance performances. If the indoor season does indeed go forward barring any further hindrance from Covid-related cancellations and absences, the big meets in February and March will tell how much progress was marshaled. Until then, those who aspire to be winners, will come to the Paul Gerry Fieldhouse with one thing in mind: to do better than before, set new personal records and aim towards that goal of giving the best they can deliver. Doing that constitutes victory no matter what the leaderboard shows at the end of each event.