Track and Field will once again be brought out of the shadows and showcased in August when Beijing plays host to the Olympic Games. Never does the Olympic Motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius" (faster, higher, stronger) ring so true as when related to events that make up track and field. The athlete attempts to run faster, jump or vault higher and through strength, throw further.
At Boulder Creek High School, in the months of February through May, 130 students attempt to do the same. While most of the athletes on the team play sports in the fall and winter seasons, their contribution to the track and field program is considerable. They may think of themselves as a soccer player who can jump, a football player who can throw or a basketball player who can run, but they are all a part of a team working toward a common goal. To these athletes faster, higher, stronger is one inspiration, but the Olympic creed, "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well," may prove a better description. All of the athletes are competing not only against a student in a different colored singlet but also against time and distance as they attempt to improve on personal best achievements.
Head Coach Anthony Casarella and his experienced group of coaches are building a program still very much in its infancy, “The program is four years old but the team of coaches came together last season. I am so fortunate to have Sam, Andrea, Erin and Rick. They are enthusiastic and passionate about their particular events of interest and really have helped this program develop in a short space of time. The athletes now have someone in their corner to help them achieve personal bests.”
Nowhere is the desire to improve on personal milestones more evident than watching Garret Arvidson run the distance events. The junior, who led the cross-country team home in every event last fall, pushes himself every time he steps onto the track. No matter how large his lead, he will run as fast as his legs will take him up the home straight and all the way through the finish line. His most impressive race this year was one that he did not win. In his two-mile at the Chandler Rotary meet he placed 11th against a field of top high school athletes from several states. He ran the race in nine minutes fifty-two seconds, which included a sixty-six second final lap. This time was twenty-six seconds faster than the time he ran in last year’s state championship final and will serve as a huge confidence boost as he sets out to put Boulder Creek back on top of the dais in the two mile at this year’s state meet.
Garret’s female counterparts in the distance events have shown incredible improvement in the first half of the season. Freshman Trinity Johnson, who emerged as the consistent third place runner on the cross-country team, has had a tremendous start to the year. She is closing the gap on junior Natalie Bell and the friendly competitiveness is driving both girls to new personal bests.
In the shorter events, Darien McKinley may be a relative newcomer to track and field, but he has the composure of a seasoned athlete. In only his second season as an 110meter hurdler, McKinley boasts speed, fluidity, and an immaculate technique. His personal best time of 15.95 seconds is very impressive and if he can improve on that time at the state championship, he should qualify for the final. On the girl’s side, freshman Alexa Larson has taken on a heavy workload. She is specializing in the 200 meters but is an integral part of both the 4 by 100m and 4 by 400m relay teams. Her speed and strength are developing with every race and is certainly one to watch in the future.
Sophomore Dylan Walashek has had a remarkable start to the season jumping six feet two inches in the high jump. This height finished second at last year’s state championship and if he continues to improve he should contend the title this year. When jumping for distance, not necessarily height, senior Nadia Hussain has been the shining light in the triple jump. She has also returned some solid times over 100meters and has been a part of the relay team. The coaching staff endearingly refers to her as the “team mother” and is pleased with her caring leadership style.
In the throwing events, senior Jessica Hayes returns to improve upon her stellar performance last season where she reached the state championship final. On the boys’ side, sophomore Roger Dolan has recorded a personal best of forty-seven feet in the shot put this season. Both throwers are working hard with throwing coach Rick Johnson to improve their performances as they head toward regional and state championships in early May.
We wish the athletes all of the very best as they continue to push the limits of personal athletic achievement in their chosen discipline |
