Track and Field has commenced. The track team consists of 40 athletes, and statistically the team has improved. Most of last year’s athletes have beaten all of their personal bests. This year these athletes have high expectations for themselves as senior Marc-Anthony Lopez states “My goal is to make it to State this year.” Last year he placed 16th out of 28 other throwers for discus at Districts. The track team has competed in four meets so far this season. Many of the athletes have already set out to reach for the sky. Junior Natalie Yrkoski runs the 400, 4×1, 4×4, and High Jump. She has placed in nearly all of her events. What Natalie sees as the strengths for the team is that “the team is very motivated to get better and competitive during track meets.” The athletes have set goals they want to achieve. 

Boys Track Head Coach Rick Carter has been very “pleased” with the results so far for this season. Coach Carter shared that he is, “already seeing improvement from many of the athletes and there have been a few nice surprises this year.” Coach Carter was asked what strengths the track team has and he talked about 4 core guys that have improved the most. Coach Carter explained that “Marc- Anththony Lopez put in a lot of work over the off season.” Marc-Anthony threw a foot farther than his personal best from last year. Austin McCulloch has won the Pole Vault event in his first 3 meets this year. This year he increased his personal record by one inch. Newcomers, Gavin Bywater and Rico Rodriguez “have improved the team.” Coach Carter explained that “Gavin has been having very good success in the 400m run and is picking up on Pole Vault quite well” and Rico “performed very well in both the high jump and long jump at the last meet.” 

On the girls side of track, they have been improving as well. Leading the Girls team is: Marisol Deanda (12), Natalie Yrkoski (11), and Piper Lefdal (11). Marisol placed in the top three in all meets thus far. She beat her personal best by three seconds for the mile, getting a time of 5:48.29. Natalie beat her personal record at the Aquinas meet for the 400. Natalie’s time was 1:04.68 for the 400. Piper beat her personal record for long jump reaching 14’8 feet. The stats for this year are already showing improvement from last year and from meet to meet.  There are five meets left till the Conference meet. There will be six meets until Districts. The District meet is where these athletes compete to go to State.