The 63rd annual Wilson High School Invitational Track Meet uttered its swan song April 18, relinquishing its unofficial title of the “Oldest Continuous High School Track Meet West of the Mississippi.”

It will be missed. Head coach of the most established track meet in north-central Kansas, Head Coach and Athletic Director Tony Brokes, moved the meet from early, early April to mid-month in an attempt to grow the meet in its final seasons. Prior to the date move, it was common for spectators and journalists to attend with winter parkas as the temperatures always seemed to be hovering just above freezing and snow flurries were not uncommon.

In fact, some locals even stated that spring did not officially arrive until after completion of the Wilson track meet.

In a lot of ways, the track meet represented the core philosophy of Wilson High School and thus, the town of Wilson itself. It never gave up. The debate as to whether such a notion is valor or stubbornness still rages.

(Bohemian stubbornness is legendary, not only in the Smoky Hills of Kansas and the southern Sandhills of Nebraska, but also in Europe.)

The Wilson track team consistently sent top athletes to compete in the annual Kansas State High School Activities Association 1A-6A uber track meet in Wichita the last weekend in May. It also produced 1928 Olympic Gold medal shot putter John Kuick.

In a story currently replicated all across the meat-and-grain producing steppes of the Rocky Mountains, lack of a student population forced the closure of WHS by the USD 112 school board due to resources. Small towns and schools across the region continue to wither away as the undiminished greed of unsustainable corporate farming continues to drain resources, both natural and human.

The end was nigh, but the Dragons fought on. They fielded several small sports teams, including volleyball, football, softball and baseball in the latter years; however, both basketball teams had amazing shots at the state 1A Division II title. In fact, led by standout Karlie Steinle and floor leader Justine Dlabal, the tiny Wilson girls team placed third in 2011.

But the track meet, more than any other of Wilson’s sports endeavors, exemplified all that was the best of the school and community. Modern tracks are expensive to build and maintain and as cinder tracks gave way to asphalt, Wilson moved the meet to nearby Russell, where venue met all state requirements. The entire school, educators, parents, grandparents and former students showed up to assist with the logistics of running the meet. It was an all-for-one-type of vibe.

Also, the Wilson Invitational was the only time during the sports season that the concession fare at Russell was edible. The balance of the year, the hamburgers resembled hockey pucks.

It was a oodles of fun and a sense of community that will be impossible to replace.

As the Dragons disperse to Sylvan Grove, Central Plains, Ellsworth and Russell, their efforts on the fields and gyms of the area will be remembered for their tenaciousness. Without doubt, the refugee athletes that find themselves with new teammates in the coming years will bring with them the mantra and drive of a Wilson Dragon: Never give up.

M.R. McCoy is former sports editor of the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter. McCoy lives in Kansas City, Mo.