The Summers County High School track team attended the Class A State Track Meet on Wednesday, June 9 and Thursday, June 10.
SCHS Head Track Coach Stephen Starliper said of the team attending the state track meet, “Working hard and having a blue-collar work ethic is pretty much what it all boils down to. Other teams may be better than us, but they won’t outwork us.”
A recent graduate, Ian Gardner, took second place in the 400-meter dash on Wednesday, June 9. Gardner’s time was 51.37 seconds. During Gardner’s high school track career, he earned three school records and attended two state meets.
Gardner said “It feels amazing to be able to represent my family and my community in Charleston, even though I didn’t get the result I would’ve liked. I’m still blessed to be able to achieve what I did. I dealt with a quad injury at the beginning of the season, so it took a lot of work and rehab after the injury to be able to perform the way I did this season. I want to thank my Lord and Savior for putting me in this position and blessing me with the ability to be good at the sport I love.
Secondly, I want to thank Coach Starliper, who I would be nothing without. He never gave up on me and always believed in me. He truly is the best thing that’s happened to me when it comes to coaching. Lastly, I want to thank my mom for always supporting me in whatever I do. I’d also like to thank my family, close friends, and teammates I’ve had along the way… none of this would be possible without them.”
