At the time, I was in seventh grade, and I don't remember hearing anything about the new law. But the next year, my school introduced girls' volleyball. I think I was third string on the 8th grade team.
Over the next couple years, I found my niche running track and cross country. Participating in sports became a huge part of my life as a teenager. I loved to compete. I enjoyed the close-knit friendships that formed during workouts, including 5, 6, and 10-miles runs. Running continued to be my prime form of exercise well into mid-life.
Mary Cronk (center) leads the pack in the 880-yard run, Whatcom County Track & Field Finals,
May 1975. Photo courtesy of the Lynden Tribune.