“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” –Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

These words are not only profound, they speak the truth of all humanity for it is true that our best test is not the one we can easily pass, it is the one in which we must struggle to pass. That is where we learn the most about ourselves, that is the one where we become stronger for the next test. The fact of the matter is we are tested daily in various things. Some of these tests go unnoticed, and some of these tests dominate our thoughts and actions on a daily basis.

To live your life unassumingly, thinking you will never be tested is foolish and unrealistic. So, the question isn’t “will I best tested?” The questions are when, how, to what extent, AND how will you respond?

What will you do when everything you’ve worked for is stripped away? What will you do when all you believe in challenged? What will you do when someone asks you to compromise your integrity? What will you do when someone else takes control of your dreams and desires without permission, stomps on them, and leaves them for dead? What will you do when you’re asked to believe in something you know is right, and great, like YOURSELF, but you doubt your own abilities? How will you respond? WHAT WILL YOU DO?

It is never too late to start living your life inspired. You see, track and field really isn’t about track and field. It’s about being together, working toward a common goal, believing in, and working because of, a cause that is beyond just you. It is about the test, and passing it. It is about finding out that you can do more than you ever possibly dreamed and realizing that you didn’t have to do it alone. All you had to do was start.

There is nothing more powerful than a made up mind…nothing.

Former track and field and cross country stand out Graham Miller sets a lifetime PR at the Seattle vs Willamette meet earlier this season. Miller, once a captain of both varsity sports at Lewis and Clark HS, always had his eyes set on breaking the two minute barrier and neared it on several occasions.

Now one of Seattle University’s top distance runners Graham shows that hard work always pays off in the end. In his sophomore season at SU, Miller ran a 1:59.92a on Saturday, April 4, 2009. Congrats, Graham, and here’s to an excellent 2009 outdoor season!

Follow Graham’s progress at athletic.net.

A handful of Tigers made their indoor debute at the Universtiy of Idaho this weekend.  Seniors Ryan Spilker, first year trackster Chris Mastin, Ryan Henderson; and juniors Sean Swanson, Timitri Scisum, and new Tiger Jordan Mackin all shook off the cob webs at the Kibbie Dome.  It was their very first indoor track meet, running with mostly college athletes, but they competed like veterans and weren’t phased with the fast paced atmosphere. 

Many thanks go out to Emily Namie who was gracious enough drive our boys to the meet.  Today’s highlights include Ryan Spilker, who finished 4th among high school runners in the 60mh, Sean Swanson who finished 1st among high school runners in the 60m and 2nd among high school jumpers in the long jump, and Jordan Mackin who ran the fastest high school time in the 200m.  The greatest thing to come out of this is the sign of maturity in these boys to make the sacrifice to train during the winter to be ready once the outdoor season begins.  Thanks for your commitment to the program!  See the results of just our boys by clicking on the results link to the right, or see the full results here:

http://www.govandals.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=90757&SPID=10991&DB_OEM_ID=17100&ATCLID=3665190