A SCOUT'S PERSPECTIVE - OBSERVATIONS & RUMINATIONS

Lauren Rain Williams is one of ten finalists for Sports Illustrated's 2011 SportsKid of the Year award . All of the nominees are worthy of the award. Just being named as one of the ten finalists out of the thousands of kids nominated for the award is an honor in and of itself. Voting starts today and ends at 12:00PM EST on October 17. Vote early and often for the athlete that you feel is most deserving of this award. My choice is Lauren Williams. Why Lauren? If you want the long version, read the blog I wrote on Lauren in June, "Do No Harm - The weekend story of a child track prodigy - Lauren Rain Williams." The short version. I first saw Lauren run in 2009 at a USATF youth track and field meet. My son started participating in track and field meets in 2009 and I happened upon an excellent web site that was dedicated to youth track and field, trackmom.com . Lauren's mom, Lorraine is the architect of the site and you couldn't help but notice the pictures s...

"Do No Harm" is an axiom in life that should be a guide post for those who are in leadership or authoritarian positions. "Doing no harm" to those who are under one's tutelage or supervision should be foremost in a leader's mind when determining policy and procedure. On the weekend of June 10, 2011 USA Track & Field Southern California Association (SO CAL - USATF) failed to live up to the "do no harm" creed in conducting the SCA Junior Olympic Championships from 6/10/2011 to 6/12/2011 at Cerritos College. Lauren "Rain" Williams is a 11 year old, soon to be 12 on July 25th, track prodigy who is the best female sprinter in the USA in USATF's Midget division (born 1999 - 2000.) One can make a strong case that she is also the most versatile and the fastest sprinter in the world in her age group, male or female. Lauren's PRs (Personal Records) are off the chart. Best times this year in the sprints are 55.31 400M, 24.04 200M, an...

Dr. Lorraine Johnson Williams is the guiding force behind Track Mom, which is one of my favorite Youth Sports sites. Lorraine asked her readers to write about their most memorable track and field experience in 2010.  I penned the following article for her web site, which she titled  "Don't Worry Dad." My most memorable track and field experience had nothing to do with actually witnessing a track event, but everything to do with my son's response to an event he ran for the first time in his life at the SCA Junior Olympic Track and Field Meet in Cerritos, CA on 6/12/10. His response, "Don't worry about it dad, we know what I did and that's all that matters." Garrett is an outstanding athlete. He also participates in soccer, basketball, and flag football. Track and Field was the first sport that Garrett wanted to do without me suggesting that he do it. He had to find his way in track and field. Garrett thought he was fast...