SIDELINE SCENE: Lack of track doesn't slow Foundation sprinter, program

Senior sprinter Kiande Phillips won the Class 1A State Championship in the 100 meters on May 1, clocking in at a personal-best 10.77 seconds in the most important race of his varsity career.

It was an impressive accomplishment in a few ways — beyond the obvious element of being worthy of a state gold medal.

It was the first state championship — in any sport — for Foundation Academy, thereby permanently imprinting Phillips’ name in the school’s record books.

Also impressive was Phillips’ improvement under the tutelage of head coach Dave Bohner, especially considering Bohner took the job a few days after the season already had begun. The two-sport star, who will be heading off to play college football for the Hobart Statesmen this fall in upstate New York, started the season running in the low 11s; before the day of the state meet, he hadn’t run anything faster than a 10.95.

But perhaps the most impressive thing about Kiande Phillips’ state title is that he and his teammates at Foundation Academy don’t have an actual track to practice on. 

Each morning during track season at the school in south Winter Garden, a staff member or coach paints lines in the grass around the Lions’ practice football field. This is where the middle- and high-school teams train.

Although it certainly is not an insurmountable disadvantage, it is nonetheless a factor worthy of consideration in a sport in which victory and defeat are determined by mere 10ths of a second. It’s impressive, then — inspiring, even — that the lack of a track didn’t stop Foundation from taking a program-record six athletes to that same state meet on the campus of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. 

The up-and-coming direction of the track program is reflective of the school’s athletics department, in general. The football (made state playoffs in 2014), softball (won first district championship this spring) and volleyball programs all have experienced considerable success last season or in recent years; the volleyball team has most notably finished as state runner-up in Class 2A twice (2012 and 2013).

Without being so presumptuous as to assign a timeframe or put words in the administration’s mouth, I have little doubt the program will one day have a track to practice on, likely circling the school’s existing practice football field nestled behind its gymnasium. 

It also wouldn’t surprise me if the football team, which currently plays home games at Walker Field in Winter Garden, one day plays its home games on campus. 

But for now, that’s not the case.

For now, the program practices in the grass.

In its own way, it’s kind of cool to see a program making the best of its situation. 

It’s worthy of kudos — not just to Phillips, but to Bohner, the administration and the other members of the team for fostering an environment where the lack of a track hasn’t become an excuse.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].