Track and field’s 2024 season has officially begun. The team opened the year with a dominant performance against athletes from Oceana High School and Jefferson High School on Wednesday, March 6. The Panthers won five of their six head-to-head matchups, as all subgroups but the frosh-soph boys rose to the top on Wednesday. 

For head coach Chris Coleman, the meet was an opportunity for the team to show off their hard work from weeks of practice and tough workouts in preparation for the season. 

“I think it was very successful. The team as a whole was very supportive. Even though there were probably over 20 separate events, across all genders and divisions, everyone’s been developing as a team,” Coleman said. 

Freshman Tad Folgner characterized the first meet as cohesive with great energy. 

“Everyone was cheering each other on. I really loved today’s meet,” Folgner said. 

Although it was the first meet, the Panthers showed incredible results, breaking several personal records. 

In the girls’ varsity 4×400 relay, seniors Avah Reichow, Lauren Gonzalez, Cora Haggarty, and sophomore Ellora Horan placed first, sweeping the podium with a time of 4:20.56. 

On the men’s varsity side, Burlingame’s distance runners continued to dominate as senior Jake Ramirez and Folgner each broke their personal records; Ramirez placed first with a time of 4:49.25 and Folgner took second with a time of 4:55.43. 

“My goal is to just have a good time,” Folgner said. “I’m really happy with where I’m at, and I just want to have fun.”

The seniors also clinched major victories on the track Wednesday. Raymond Frank placed first in the men’s varsity 400 meters, logging a strong time of 53.17 seconds. Haggarty also dominated, taking home a win in the girl’s varsity 800 meters, and Reichow placed first in the girl’s varsity 100 meters. 

At the frosh-soph level, freshman Gladys Aguilera stood out to Coach Coleman, as she placed first in both shot put and discus. Along with Aguilera, freshman Avery Browdy led the frosh-soph division, placing first in the 100 and 200 meters and participating in the victorious 4×400 relay.

Coleman appreciates the supportive team effort the athletes have brought this year, which he sees as essential to converting practice into performance on meet days. He hopes to see improvement and continuous team effort ahead of Burlingame’s next meet on Tuesday, March 12 at Terra Nova High School.

“The goal for our second meet is now to refine some of the skills and performances we saw in the first meet, and to guide the athletes into areas of strength,” Coleman said. “Also, for our junior and senior leaders, to really help them increase their performances so that they progress and get faster, throw farther and perform better, hopefully for the state finals.”