Although you may not have been the first sport I was involved in you have had the greatest impact on me. For some reason, the idea of being a thrower appealed to me in middle school. Each transition that lead to the participation and learning of a new throw offered a lot of resistance. I am sure glad that I had others there to encourage me to keep at it and that the techniques would start to come to me.
The early years were filled with much frustration as it was so hard to learn and all I wanted to do was compete well. Eventually those around me got me to realize that you are not a sport that can be done well without commitments to the little things. From then I was dedicated to hours of drilling — as boring as it may have gotten — all to know that the full throws would be more consistent when I go there. I started to enjoy you as a sport more with that foundation as I was able to understand what was happening. The cloud of confusion was gone.
By putting that cloud in front of me you got me to be better at breaking things down and pushing my way forward. At last you were a sport that I understood and felt prepared to deal with the mental challenges presented at each meet. I had done the training and was ready. Then you decided to throw one last obstacle in my path. Breaking my ankle while throwing was a really difficult challenge to overcome as it came from you, the sport I had come to love so much. As easy as it would have been to let that take me out, I wanted to end things on my own terms. Coming back from that really proved how much you were a part of my life. I didn't want to leave with any bitterness left towards you.
I'm glad you are rather forgiving to those wanting to get back up after all the injuries and pain to throw, run, or jump one more time. I pushed my way back in and you started to accept me once again with open arms. I started to feel less anxious about each new competition as I trusted you wouldn't let something like that happen to me again. I’m glad I gave you that trust and you gave me a final year that was more successful than I would have thought. Through the good times and the bad you have been my support through college life. An outlet for the stresses of class and a way to get out the extra competitive energy.
You have given me some really great friends and the best teammates that I could have ever imagined. You got me to learn how to conquer life's challenges with a positive attitude and a true smile on my face. You have led me to the best experiences of my life.
In short, you have made me who I am today and I am eternally grateful that I decided to give you a try and you accepted me as one of your athletes.