Thorough Preparation -- Jim Doane

When the swim team dried off for the season I went out for Spring Track. I made the team and was competing in the high jump, high hurdles, and one of the replay teams.   Brother Stephen was our coach, Bill Murry recalls that I nick-named him skeeter.  So shortly after the season began Brother Stephen told us that we would be competing in the RI Relays at Hope High on the weekend. When we got there he tells me that I'm on the shot put, javelin, and discus relay teams with some other teammates.   I look at him and say "Brother I don't know how to do any of those events."  He said look at the other teams and just copy them, which is exactly what I did.  

I watched closely as other teams began and I just tried to do the same thing.   Most of the competitors looked like football linemen and then here was little Jim Doane all 125 pounds of pure muscle.    Needless to say, we didn't win any medals, but it was fun to try those brand-new events.   Not sure why I remember this, but after the meet Brother Stephen asked me if I wanted ice cream, and he bought me a cone.   

Once the track season returned to meets against Tolman, West, and other teams I amassed enough points to earn a major letter, which I thought was the coolest thing.   My Mom took off the swim team letter from my Saints sweater and sewed on the letter with a flying foot - - the symbol of track.    In my sports career at SRA I earned 3 major letters in swimming and track.   At URI I competed in the same track events as I did at SRA.