After taking first at sectionals and sending ten athletes to compete at state last year, the boys’ track and field team hopes to continue this streak during the upcoming season.

Senior captain Jack Diamond competes in the 4×800 relay, the 800m and the 1600m races. “We won sectionals last year with over 100 points, which is a pretty high score,” Diamond said. “Hopefully we can compete for a conference and sectional title this year. I think we should have a state qualifier in every breakdown of our team.”

The team values veteran runners as well as the less experienced to chase their goals. “For all of our guys, no matter if you’re our top point scorer or someone who has never competed in a varsity meet, we want everyone to try and break their personal best. Once we accomplish that, we hope that every athlete would want to try and do it again,” head coach Eric Buhot said.

The girls’ track and field team sent eight athletes to state last year.

The state qualifying 4×800 relay included Emma Moravec, Zayna Jan, Stephanie Urbancik, and Maci Schaub. The 4×400 included Emma Moravec, Zayna Jan, Rachel Schuetz, and Hannah Henry. “I am really looking forward to the first meet, which is only a couple of weeks away. It is always exciting to just see what you can do, and improve from there; the first meet is only the beginning of a long and exciting season,” Moravec said.

With all runners besides Urbancik returning, these relays have potential to qualify for state. “My goals for the season are just to improve my times on all of my events and hopefully qualify for the state meet again this year,” Moravec said. “I’m looking forward to both of these relays. Since it is most of the same people, I’m hoping we can build on our success from last year.”

Head coach Matthew Maletich stresses the importance of mental toughness as well as fast times. “I want the girls to learn what hard work is,” Maletich said. “They should reach their goals and be proud of their hard work.”

“I want to emphasize the team aspect because sometimes people feel with having different events that track is more of an individual performance based sport,” Jan said. “I want to change that and really bring us closer together and have an overall positive mindset.”

Claire Hoette | Sports Editor
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Mia Chudzik | Feature Editor
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