The women’s track season is fast approaching with the first meet scheduled for Saturday, March 25.  The Pioneer has taken on the task of providing an overview of the team as they gear up for the 2017 season.

Last season, two team members, seniors Allie Stern and Mary Figler, competed at the state level. Allie placed 8th in the pole vault while Mary placed 3rd in the 800 meter sprint. According to the team’s distance coach, Mr. Matt Long, “Mary should be feared this season since the two girls who beat her at States last season both are in college now, making Mary the fastest runner in the state on paper.”

Mary voiced her opinion on the competition she is expecting to face this season, saying, “For the past few years [at States], I was competing against two really strong upperclassmen who were constantly pushing me to chase after them… They both graduated in 2016, so I’m the upperclassman that the young girls will be focused on and chasing after.”  She is excited as well as optimistic about the upcoming season, putting up some impressive times running in the indoor season and showing no signs of slowing down.

With 90-plus athletes on the team, Allie and Mary might not be the only two going to states this season. Mr. Long commented on some of the team’s strongest events, observing, “The team as a whole is great, but the the mid-long sprints, such as the 400 meter and 800 meter, the 4x400m and the 4x800m relay teams, usually make it to regionals.” Mary made a “goal of [hers] to get a few of the relay teams to states this year,” since the relay teams have been close to making it to States in the past.

Senior Isabelle Penna offered her thoughts on the upcoming season. She typically runs the 100 meter dash, the 200 meter dash, the 4x100m relay, and the 4x 200m relay, and is trying the long jump this season.  She stated, “I am very excited for this season.  I think the whole team is going to do very well.” She added, “As a team, we are going to thrive in all of our events.  We have some incredible athletes on the team, and I think we are going to get some new records this year.”

Another senior, Malyka Musso, competes in hurdles. She has been part of the team since her freshman year and, when asked about what meet the team is most looking forward to this season, she said, “We are all extremely eager to get another win at the North Coast League Championships.” Malyka shared her thoughts on how the seniors’ last season will affect their performance: “The whole season will be bittersweet but, since it is the last chance for us seniors to do this, I think it will help motivate all of us to be the best we can be and to give the season our all.”