Saugatuck Track and Field New Season Starting Up by Julia Lowery
Saugatuck's Track and Field has been very successful in the past. Last year the boys team was able to take home the regional title, while in 2021 the girls team also took home a regional title. So with the season starting again, what is the future looking like for them?
The track team took many losses this year due to the seniors of 2022 graduating. Along with graduation also comes an incoming freshman class. I interviewed Brennan Nor, a 9th grader at Saugatuck, who has lots of experience with the track program; although, he is just a freshman: “The past track years have had many runners; however, last year we lost a lot of runners and this year we will be losing almost half the boys team. Although this is disappointing, I’m excited to be a part of the team and spend this last season with the seniors. I’m really looking forward to this specific season because although there has been a lot of loss, we have also gained a lot of fresh skill. We might have to put in some hard work, but overall we should do well.”
The girls team has similar goals to the boys this year when it comes to reconstructing both the girls and boys team. The graduation of many strong seniors such as Benny Diaz and Cat Pond left the track program in need of some revamping. When I asked Mazie Robinson about this year, she had similar thoughts: “Last season we were a really good team and had many talented girls. The goal last year was to get to meets, get girls to state, and get girls to regionals. This year is a lot different. It's a rebuilding year. We are rebuilding the track program and the girls on it. I'm excited to get closer to the people, but so far we are really close, which I think will make for a super fun season. As a sprinter and hurdler, I’m excited to get back at it. I've been practicing a lot, especially during the off season. I'm feeling confident for the spring season. I placed third at state finals, but I'm hoping to accomplish something bigger. My goal is to get a state title in the 100 hundred hurdles and to get all state in the 100 dash, 200 dash and 300 hurdles.”
Although this season might not lead to a regional title for the track team, It will lead to a stronger program. By taking the time to rebuild and bring attention towards the program, it sets itself up for a stronger future and a closer team.
The track team took many losses this year due to the seniors of 2022 graduating. Along with graduation also comes an incoming freshman class. I interviewed Brennan Nor, a 9th grader at Saugatuck, who has lots of experience with the track program; although, he is just a freshman: “The past track years have had many runners; however, last year we lost a lot of runners and this year we will be losing almost half the boys team. Although this is disappointing, I’m excited to be a part of the team and spend this last season with the seniors. I’m really looking forward to this specific season because although there has been a lot of loss, we have also gained a lot of fresh skill. We might have to put in some hard work, but overall we should do well.”
The girls team has similar goals to the boys this year when it comes to reconstructing both the girls and boys team. The graduation of many strong seniors such as Benny Diaz and Cat Pond left the track program in need of some revamping. When I asked Mazie Robinson about this year, she had similar thoughts: “Last season we were a really good team and had many talented girls. The goal last year was to get to meets, get girls to state, and get girls to regionals. This year is a lot different. It's a rebuilding year. We are rebuilding the track program and the girls on it. I'm excited to get closer to the people, but so far we are really close, which I think will make for a super fun season. As a sprinter and hurdler, I’m excited to get back at it. I've been practicing a lot, especially during the off season. I'm feeling confident for the spring season. I placed third at state finals, but I'm hoping to accomplish something bigger. My goal is to get a state title in the 100 hundred hurdles and to get all state in the 100 dash, 200 dash and 300 hurdles.”
Although this season might not lead to a regional title for the track team, It will lead to a stronger program. By taking the time to rebuild and bring attention towards the program, it sets itself up for a stronger future and a closer team.