Spirit of Track

BOLT. The girls’ VHS track team cheers on junior Cecilia Gunther on her relay race. The track team has always encouraged each other and brought all of the energy at track meets, while also cheering one another on. when having hard training sessions. Photo courtesy of Tony Puz.

Track has made a strong community at VHS. Although the sport is very difficult and can be staring at your body, the hard work each person puts into it definitely shows great outcomes when competing and seeing it all be worth it. The tight knit team has shown to be a great example as to how a sport can create amazing friendships. “I really love the community of all the runners on the track team and how connected everyone is,” Freshman Harrison Decker said.

Not only is the community around them great support, but the team is supportive as well.

“Being part of the team is just amazing. It's so great to be able to do the workouts with a bunch of other girls who also work hard and care about the sport as much as you do. It's also really great to encourage other people and [to] be encouraged,” Freshman Bridget Simmons said.

The community is not just the Vashon track team, but there is also a community between the other schools, where athletes are able to talk about their shared experiences.

“I love the community around track, everyone on the team is supportive of each other and at meets, athletes from every team talk to each other and connect because of how inclusive track is,” Senior Annabelle Moeckel said.

Track is a tough sport that needs strength and determination. Through the many hard workouts that can be tough on your body it helps increase the athletes strengths.Each runner has their own ways of pushing through and making it less straining on their body.

“I stay motivated by thinking about how far I've come during the season, especially when the workouts get rough,” Decker said.

Thinking about what you have already achieved can be a great way to push yourself forward and harder because you know you can do it since you have done it before. Another great way of pushing yourself is thinking of how much stronger it is going to be and how it can help you get one step closer to your goal.

“Thinking about the end goal and getting stronger, as well as how great I'm going to feel when I'm done with the workout,” Simmons said.

Remembering your goals is important, but having coaches who motivate you can also make a big difference in your training.

“I have two coaches normally during my jumps and they do a really great job to keep me hyped up,” junior Ida Lauinger said.

Although the amazing community definitely makes everything better and makes you feel supported, each runner has their special person that motivates them and makes them feel like all of the hard work that they are putting in the sport is worth it.

“My biggest support during my track career has definitely been my dad,” Decker said.

The person that pushes an athlete forward doesn't always have to be a family member. Having a special coach can also encourage athletes even more.

“My coach Brandi Greenidge, and my teammate who graduated last year, Alana Bass, have had the biggest influence in my track career. Alana and I would run together and train off season, and Brandi has supported the whole team for years now, especially the sprinters,” Moeckel said.

There are many sports at VHS and they all have an amazing community, but track may be one of the most tight knit.. Not only by encouraging their team mates at matches but during their tough training sessions and long runs, the track team showed great sportsmanship. Even having a special person to encourage each and every track member pushing them towards their goals, like the coach, made a big difference.