The girls winter track team recently dominated their winter season, growing stronger in their athletic abilities individually.
Throughout the winter season, the girls have placed and won medals at the Ocean Breeze Holiday Invitational, GMC Relays, GMC Championships, and a few frosh/novice meets.
Girls track coach Mr. Christian Jessop says, “I think we had a solid winter season this year. As a team, we took third at GMC Relays that was highlighted by the shuttle hurdle team breaking a school record. We had several first-year athletes, and many of them had a strong season. I anticipate some making a push to be varsity in the upcoming spring season.”
The team is made up of JV and varsity athletes who are either sprinters, distance runners, or throwers. Each category of athletes participates in different events that are geared toward the style of their category.
Sprinters run events like the 55m, 200m and 400m dashes in the winter, and the 100m, 200m and 400m dashes in the spring. Both seasons also have relays made up of four athletes who hand off a baton to each other during the race.
Distance runners run events like the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m dashes in the winter and spring. The distance runners also run relays like the sprinters.
Throwers participate in both the winter and spring seasons in events like shot put and javelin.
New athletes who have just joined track their freshman year did seem prepared for what they had ahead of them. Some athletes were often inspired by Olympic figures or just enjoyed the sport.
Freshman and sprinter Christina Faraca says, “I joined track this year because ever since I was a little girl, I always loved to run. My parents told me I used to run around my backyard with my dog. My mom motivates me to compete because she ran track in high school and was cross-country champion. I hope to walk in her footsteps.”
When the athletes are not practicing, they are typically participating in meets. The first track meet the JV and varsity athletes attended was in the New York Armory. This was one of the bigger and more challenging meets.
In addition to competing, the team practices five days a week after school from about 2:30 to 4:00 to prepare for upcoming meets. They practice often on the outdoor track, or move indoors due to weather conditions.
Freshman and sprinter Garcelle Stephens says, “I ran cross-country in the fall and since then I’ve always had a passion for running. Practice makes me feel motivated to work hard and try my best with everything I do a daily basis.”
The winter season was successful due to the encouragement and work ethic put in and given to the athletes. It’s important to continue to maintain stamina and other strategies that made this season possible for seasons to come.
The first official day of the spring season was March 6, 2018. Sprinters, distance runners, and throwers will all be trying out and will be working to prepare for upcoming events.
What do you think about our girls track team?
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