‘We Came in Last Place Like Champions’
That quote from Highland Park boys track and field head coach Randy Adair might sound kind of crazy, but it was very appropriate after what happened to his 1600-meter relay team at the end of the Class 4A Region II championships in Denton last night.
After Stephen Macintosh ran a career-best 49.40 on the opening leg for the Scots, Sam Strickland (pictured) took the baton from him. Strickland was also running at a sub 50-second pace when he came out of the final turn. Suddenly, he was face down on the track after being pushed by a McKinney North runner. Strickland got back up and finished his leg, but the damage was done. The Scots finished last in the race, while McKinney North was disqualified.
“Our kids were prepared,” Adair said. “We came in last place like champions. We got up and finished the race, and I can’t ask for any more than that. Our kids ran an honest race. It just turned out that way. I’m real proud of the kids. I’ve never had anything like that [happen at regionals]. We were looking for a school-record 3:20.”
Thank you for this post. I hope the push was an accident.I am proud of Strickland for getting up and keeping going.
I am a HP father who knows Sam. He is a great kid. Great example of sportmanship.