This 2022 Track and Field season was an improved success of many athletes compared to last year. 22 track athletes qualified for state this year and the girls won the state championship and the boys placed 26th overall.
For some, track and field is more than just a sport, it means something more to them.
“There are no words to describe how much I enjoyed this year’s state track meet. It felt surreal and almost like a dream” sophomore Sydney Stodden said. “I am so grateful that I was able to go out there with my teammates and compete with the best runners in the state. I loved every single second of it.”
The girls relays have had success in the past season by earning second in the 4- by- 8 and first in the 4- by- 4, but this year both of these events took home the gold medal, and the four- by- four became champions back to back.
The athletes in the four- by- eight are Stodden, Prince, freshman Ella Ford, and sophomore Morgan Sachs. Similarly, the runners in the four- by- four areis Stodden, Prince, Sachs, and junior Grace Heaney.
Stodden competed in four events alongside sophomore Britt Prince; they together ran in the open 400 and 800 and also in the four-by-four and four-by-eight relays.
“It is so much fun to compete alongside Stodden, I love being able to warm up with her, and I always know that it will be a great race between us two everytime,” Prince said. “Either way whoever wins, we are happy for each other.”
Junior Connor Ross made great improvements from last track season by placing fifth this year in the 3200 meter run.
In the field events, senior Savannah Bishop and sophomores Allyson Dutoit and Sam Thomas showed success as they all placed in their field events. Bishop does hurdles and pole vault along with Dutoit, and Thomas does shot put and discus.
“I feel pretty good about the state meet this year,” Thomas said. ”Medaling as a sophomore is pretty rare and so I’m happy about that.”
The girls relays have had success in the past season by earning second in the 4-by-8 and first in the 4-by-4, but this year both of these events took home the gold medal, and the four-by-four became champions back to back.
The athletes in the four-by-eight are Stodden, Prince, freshman Ella Ford, and sophomore Morgan Sachs. Similarly, the runners in the four-by-four are Stodden, Prince, Sachs, and junior Grace Heaney
This track meet is the biggest to be held in the area. This year, unlike last year class A and B are combined which calls for double the fans and athletes.
There are multiple conditions that go into a track meet that can affect the athletes competing. The weather can take a toll on the runners and field events, so most athletes will try to stay cool by sitting in the shade and drinking a lot of water.
Distance runner and sophomore Julia Karmazin has had to overcome some difficulties this track season, but she continued to finish this season by placing at state in the 1600 meter and 3200 meter run.
“I had two injuries this season, both of which took me out of running at practice for almost a week each. I was limited to the elliptical and bike because I injured my knee first and then my ankles,” Karmazin said. “I feel really excited and accomplished. I am very happy with how I ran and I definitely left it all on the track. I am also super happy about the team win!”
The state meet is a huge accomplishment for all qualifiers and the experience of being at the meet is something many people will never forget.
“The environment is super competitive but also super friendly,” Dutoit said. “Everyone is really nice and it’s fun to be around some of the best track athletes in the state.”
