DAL Unified Track and Field: Teammates Surrender Medals in an Act of Kindness
By Lily Foster and Savannah Martinez, Print Opinion Editor and Print News Editor
On Saturday, May 9, the Diablo Athletic League (DAL) Track and Field Championship took place at Campolindo. The DAL Championship is a postseason event where high schools in the DAL conference compete for titles and qualifications for North Coast Section (NCS). Unified Athletes from Acalanes and Miramonte also gathered to compete in races alongside Unified Partners.
“It was the DAL event weekend, and only a few of our players qualified, and they were very excited to be there because this event was not just unified participants; it was with everybody, so there were tons of different schools there,” Instructional Assistant and Unified Track and Field Assistant Coach Jessica Garaway said.
Unfortunately, without all members present, relay teams are unable to compete in their races. The Acalanes Unified track and field 4x100 relay team experienced this circumstance at the championship meet.
“We were not able to run because one of our partners showed up an hour late,” Unified Partner and sophomore Charley Clark said. “And we could not have anyone fill in for him. We were gonna have [Unified Partner and sophomore Regino Rubio] fill in for him, but if Rubio were to run…the athletes and Unified Partners that were part of that relay would be disqualified for all their other events, which would have disqualified Rubio from his actual track event. And we did not want to risk that.”
Since athletes must already be listed as an alternate for a relay, the team was unable to replace the missing runner. As a result, the Acalanes Unified track and field 4x100 relay did not compete in the championship race.
“I was not able to be an alternate because I was not on the paper of the heat sheet,” Rubio said. “I was trying my best to see if I could participate and help them so they could run it. But I wasn't able to because if I had helped, I would get disqualified for my event...and other kids would get disqualified as well.”
After Unified Partner and frosh Julia Polson-Flanagin and Rubio finished competing in their 100-meter race, they were awarded medals for their placement. Out of an act of generosity, compassion, and sportsmanship, Polson-Flanagin and Rubio gave up their medals so that the disqualified Unified Athletes could be celebrated for their hard work.
“I know I did not have to, but I just felt like I could not leave without giving them my medal, so I talked to Gino, and we both gave them ours,” Polson-Flanagin said. “They do not get that many opportunities to run, especially in big track meets like DAL. And so we do everything we can to make sure they have a better experience.”
Many members of the Unified Sports team found this moment meaningful.
“Unified Athletes Seo [Smith] and Duncan [Suva] were really sad before, and then they got really happy once we gave them the medals,” Polson-Flanagin said. “Which is honestly so worth it, just to see that.”
Overall, many felt that Polson-Flanagin’s and Rubio’s acts of selflessness reflected their care for their teammates throughout the season and made a lasting impact on the team.
“It really was just a good picture of how generous, kind, and loving that Polson-Flanagin and Rubio have been all season,” Garaway said.
