Summer Nights #3 Track Meet
Patrick Henry HS 02/08/25

Keith Wetterer (83) and Andy Anderson (88) competed at SN #3 last month, with Keith running both the 400m (1:43.06) and 1600m (8:31.61). Way to go, Keith!

The following is Andy’s report:

Keith Wetterer and I were at the Patrick Henry H.S. Meet on Saturday 2/8/25. Keith ran several races well, while I ran a poor 800. My hamstring flared up last week while training for the 400, so I scratched the 400 and struggled through a slow 800. But something really good became obvious when talking with Keith.

Keith told me about an incident at a previous meet. If I remember some of the details incorrectly, I apologize. Keith said that he was lined up in the traditional waterfall and a little girl was right beside him. He was concerned that he did not want to bump the girl in the crowded start.

But when the gun went, the little girl shot out like a rocket. As he watched her from further and further behind, she never seemed to slow down. He was so impressed that he talked to her father/coach (?) afterwards and discovered that she is the national champion in her age group and had just broken the national record in a recent meet. Wow!

I had a similar experience 3 weeks ago at the University City High School Meet on 1/18/25.

We were lined up in a waterfall start for the 600 and a small boy was right next to me. He told me that he was 11. I almost told him that I would drop behind him so as to give him a clear path to start. I’m glad that I did not make such an embarrassing statement because when the gun went off he bolted forward and in 10 meters he was already 5 meters ahead of me! And he never slowed down.

He came in second with a time of 1:24.57; my time was double his in: 2:46.43 (a PR for me). High school runners were first and third.

I ran Cub Scout/Boy Scout and summer camp races when I was little during the late 1940s. I always won, but the idea of running against high school athletes was inconceivable.

What I think is really really good is that youngsters are not just allowed to enter track meets, but are encouraged to! Youngsters (and oldsters like me) are always cheered by the crowd as we run the final straightaway.

At the Patrick Henry Meet, there were three 400 meter groups: men, women, and “12 and under”. And the 12 and under needed two heats! Future Olympians are being trained right now. Three cheers for the various meet directors who encourage kids to compete!!!