On April 2, Frisco Memorial High School student Austin Metcalf was fatally stabbed by Frisco Centennial High School student Karmelo Anthony at the district 11-5A track meet. The same day, more than 100 Coppell students participated in the district 5-6A track meet just under 20 minutes away at Little Elm Lobo Stadium.
I was one of them.
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
Upon entering the track meet, all athletes were required to remove their electronic devices and pass through a metal detector, turning a fun competition into a TSA checkpoint. At that point, word had spread about the stabbing and the tightened security was evident.
Those who entered and exited were under careful scrutiny, and were required to pass through the metal detector upon reentering.
The security felt unreal, as though nothing had happened to warrant such caution.
However, many do not realize that what happened at Frisco could have happened anywhere–the incident reflects a rise in impulsive belligerence in teenagers, a trait that is heightened by the high energy found in sports events.
Just over a month ago, a Virginia high schooler was caught on video beating a competitor with a baton during a race, and the victim was diagnosed with a concussion. The stabbing at the Frisco district meet was reported as a disagreement with seating.
Petty tussles are commonplace in sports, but to intentionally inflict serious harm is a result of unchecked emotional impulses.
To prevent unnecessary harm, there is a simple solution. Teens must learn to disengage. In an age where letting go is seen as a concession, be the one to de-escalate and walk away from the fight; your ego is not worth your life.
Policing a sport intended to be a joyful event dampers the energy of those involved. Going forward, these security checks may become routine, the same way spectators are checked at the entrances of football games.
“The coaches were grieving for the families that are affected and for the coaches of those students,” Coppell track and field assistant coach Devin Ewing said. “[We were grieving] for track and field and sports in general because it’s going to change.”
Indeed, the sport will change, reflected in the rescheduled District 11-5A meet on Monday. Few spectators were received and police and metal detectors lined every entrance.
While athletes were shaken by the stabbing, they persevered and continued to compete. Coppell is sending 28 athletes to the area meet, not including alternates, and it is likely that they will be under more strenuous security. Despite the tension, the athletes still hold love for their sport.
“This is the real world and there’s always going to be something scary,” freshman track and field athlete Harper Thompson said. “You just have to find the good in it. It’s still a really good sport and community, and I’m going to continue to race.”
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