On Tuesday, April 21, track and field hosted a meet with Sequoia High School and El Camino High School, and also held their senior night ceremony on Thursday, April 23. At the meet, several athletes delivered strong performances. Senior Ryan Frank won the 400-meter dash in 53.13 seconds. In the 800-meter runs, sophomore Sam Mullen-Weaver placed first with a 2:12 finish, while on the girls’ side, junior Elizabeth Carroll placed first with a 2:22.
For the seniors, competing in their final home meet brought a mix of emotions. Although senior Mason Patch said the overall results of the team did not meet his expectations, he said the team played a major role in his growth as both an athlete and a person.
“My team is amazing. I love my team. They’re always supportive,” Patch said. “They always push me to my limits every single workout, every single rep. Without them, I would not be where I am right now.”
Similarly, senior Maddie Enriquez recalled all the memories she made throughout her time on the team.
“It was just nostalgic, that’s my last time running on this track, it’s where I started,” Enriquez said.
As the seniors move on, head coach Chris Coleman said he hopes the seniors carry those lessons with them.
“I would hope that they learn that things happen over time. You don’t become a champion, you don’t become a CCS [Central Coast Section] qualifier, state qualifier, immediately,” Coleman said. “Sometimes it takes time, and I think it’s a lesson for life. Just work your way through it and just keep working.”
Following the meet, Coleman said the team is in a good position heading into the postseason.
“It’s not so much what we were expecting, because we really focused on the postseason, but I will say that everybody is in good enough form. They were in good enough form for Tuesday’s meet that it makes me feel comfortable for the postseason coming up next Thursday,” Coleman said.
The team is now heading into Peninsula Athletic League (PAL) trials on April 27 at Sequoia High School before turning their focus to the PAL finals on May 9, where they aim to finish at least in fifth place to qualify for CCS.
