Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Mayson Atkinson
Year: Senior
School: Ringgold
Sport: Track
Atkinson’s week: In a Section 7-AAA meet against Thomas Jefferson Thursday, Atkinson took first place in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 41.6 seconds – a school record. It is the second-best time in WPIAL Class AAA this season.
The senior, who joined the varsity track team last spring, helped the Rams to a 106-30 victory. After crossing the finish line, Atkinson approached the scorer’s table where Ringgold athletic director Ron McMichael was sitting. McMichael informed Atkinson that he broke the mark.
“It was exciting to see that. Coming down the last 100 and there were three hurdles in my way, I just felt really good,” Atkinson said. “I felt I was going faster than I ever did before and it turns out it was good enough to get the record.”
Start to finish: Atkinson finished his junior football season and wanted to find a way to improve his endurance and speed. His friend, Skyler Scholl, suggested that Atkinson join him on the Rams’ track and field team, which was a favorite to claim a section title.
He immediately became one of the team’s top hurdlers. Though the year did not end with a trip to the WPIAL championships, the sport began to grow on Atkinson.
“I ended up really liking it, which is why I stayed out for this year,” Atkinson said.” I got pretty good at it and it’s always more fun when you’re good at something too, right?”
After Ringgold’s football season last fall, which ended with a trip to the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals, Atkinson joined indoor track – competing in meets at Edinboro University and looking to improve his form.
The results were mixed with his form because the Rams’ hurdles coach, Gary Shawley, was unable to be with the team during indoor season. Atkinson has excelled under Shawley’s tutelage this spring.
Along with the hurdles, Atkinson participates in the 400-meter relay and high jump.
“He has a desire and you can’t coach that,” Ringgold head coach Jennifer McMichael said. “When the gun goes out, he’s in his own world and he wants to win. He’s just an athlete. He’s willing to do whatever for himself and the team. He’s a great team player. “
Stretch run: Once again, the Rams’ boys track team is one of the best in the section, excelling in distance, sprints and field events.
With teammates holding some of the top marks in the WPIAL, finding motivation is not difficult for Atkinson.
“There’s nothing more exciting when I see Noah Smith track down a guy 200 meters in the 4×8 to get us five points or Bam (Brendan) Small beating a really fast guy in the 100,” Atkinson said. “That gets me hyped for my race and makes want to show what I can do for the team.”
A section and WPIAL title for Ringgold’s team is at the top of the list, but Atkinson is also looking to establish himself as one of the top hurdlers in AAA. His performance against Thomas Jefferson is one of many hurdles remaining in the final six weeks of the track and field season.
“I’m going to just continue practicing and try to lower my times to get personal records,” Atkinson said. “It’s always fun when you get to these bigger meets to get the competition.”
Compiled by Lance Lysowski