In the realm of high school track and field, Poly’s team stands out not only for their athleticism but also for their camaraderie and determination. Their track meets not only ignite excitement for the players and fans but also foster a strong sense of belonging within the track community.
Leading the team are head coaches Dwayne Miller and Jamie Bell. Together, they epitomize mentorship and teamwork, guiding the athletes toward their goals both on and off the track.
This season, despite the lack of numbers, the team had a promising first Prep League meet on Tuesday, February 27 at John Burroughs High School. Some stand-out performances were from junior TJ McElrath and Catherine McFarlane. McElrath ran a 52.73 second 100 meter earning him first place and McFarlane ran a 13.19 second 100 meter dash earning her second place out of 32 runners.
At the Thursday, March 7 Prep League meet, once again held at John Burroughs High School, McElrath and McFarlane had equally impressive results. McElrath set the track ablaze with his lightning-fast 11.45-second sprint in the 100m, a personal record just .55 seconds away from the Poly 100m record. McFarlane earned first place in the 400m with a time of 1:02.92 and second place in the 200m with an impressive time of 27.32 seconds.
Amidst the cheers and applause, however, lies a deeper narrative of overcoming challenges and striving for excellence. Junior captain Catie Sabbag provided insight into the team’s dynamics and aspirations. When asked about filling the void left by graduating seniors, Sabbag said, “Although we had a strong group of seniors last year, we made up for their loss because we have a lot of enthusiastic freshmen this year, and overall, a powerful group of runners.” Yet, she also pointed out a significant hurdle – the team’s reduced numbers. With the team’s success hinging on a point system, fewer competitors inevitably impact the final score.
Sabbag also emphasized the team’s focus on relays, particularly the 4×100 meter and 4×400 meter events. “Relays are made up of several different finicky components including handoffs, individual speed and team communication. They are some of our most competitive events and they’re also good for team bonding.”
Poly’s track team isn’t just about individual achievements; it’s about forging bonds and pushing each other to new heights. As the athletes sprint across the track, each stride echoes their shared determination to succeed and overcome obstacles.
