Anthony Gibson

At this time of year, track athletes can be found around the field warming up. Soon they all start lightly jogging in circles then swinging their legs against the wired fence inclosing themselves in. Among all those people is Anthony Gibson.

After warm-ups, he and a few others walked on behind the bleachers where their practice started. While the rest of the members flexed their legs, veins bursting and wrapping around calf and thighs, Anthony and his group were using their whole body in an athletic motion of spinning feet then the chest being thrown forward for, finally, the arms to spin then lock tight while the hands release as the disk glides through the breezy air. As Anthony was throwing, Coach Dingman talked about the unique challenge Anthony was persevering through. “You know, it's hard, almost anything takes years to get [good at] and he’s got to do it in a few weeks.” This is Anthony's first year on the track team, yet, as a senior on the team, he has some of the most important throws of the game. However, his willingness to slowly go through the step-by-step motions on and off the field is a sure sign he’s going to be fine on and off the field.

Anthony's desire to take life step-by-step was one of his reasons for enlisting in the Marines. “I was scared to leave high school,” he said while sweat was flowing with the pace of a waterfall and moving sporadically around his face like a wild stream since, at this point, the practice had just finished. This sticky feeling is one he's very well aware he will have to get used to going forward, a challenge he's looking forward to overcoming.

Anthony certainly wants to lead a life focusing on only improving himself, a noble act we should all do.