The spring season for the MTHS girls track and field team has officially started, with the final roster ready to be declared after March 17.
Track and field is comprised of a multitude of activities, including track, sprinting, and field. Track focuses on long-distance running, while sprinting is centered on speed. Field consists of events like javelin, shot put, and long jump.
Tryouts took place on Monday, March 5 and Tuesday, March 6. The first round of cuts were held on March 6. More than 70 students were selected and are currently members of the team.
The team started practice on March 7. Track practices, like every sport, are held every day after school. Practices consist of warming up as a team and then breaking up into smaller groups based on each team member’s specialty. There are three groups: sprints, distance, and throwers.
After two weeks of practice, a scrimmage will be held on Saturday, March 17. A scrimmage is a dual meet where two teams compete against each other informally as the results do not go on record.
Even though scrimmages do not go on students’ records, they are valuable opportunities for athletes to practice and gain experience.
Freshman and distance runner Eashna Kumar says, “The scrimmage should be very exciting, since it will set the pace for the rest of the season. We’ve all prepared for this, and I’ve worked hard to get ready for it.”
The scrimmage will be held between MTHS and Matawan at a currently undetermined location. The varsity and JV teams will be present for the scrimmage.
The result of the scrimmage will be part of what coach Christian Jessop uses to choose the members of the final team. Other facts that will be considered include students’ attendance to practice sessions and their attitude during practice.
Sophomore Sarah Kulpa is more than familiar with girls track and field as this will be her fourth season on the team. Kulpa says, “It’s a great experience to be on the team, to be able to work together and see other people improve.”
In 2017, then girls spring team participated in the GMC championships, a track and field tournament. Multiple athletes either set records for the school or the championship itself.
Kulpa was one of the girls on the 2017 spring team responsible for records set by students in last year’s spring team. She placed twentieth in the 2017 GMC championship for the girls 3200 meter run.
Other notable achievements from last year’s season include Promise Fadahunsi placing second and third respectively in the preliminaries and finals for the girls 100 meter dash and third in the 200 meter dash. Alyssa Berteletti also placed third for both the 100 meter hurdles preliminaries and the high jump finals.
The relay team did well throughout the GMCs, placing second in the 4×100 meter relay finals. The relay team set multiple school records in 2017, including ones for the triple jump, distance medley relay, and sprint medley relay, the last of which they won.
This year’s girls track team is hoping for a great spring season, and its athletes are ready to do just as well, if not better, than last years’.
What events in track and field appeal the most to you? Why?