What it Takes to be a Tracklete

Imagine how far you usually run in practice for a sport like lacrosse. Now imagine running about 5 times that distance without stopping. Everyday with little exception to the weather. That’s only one part of the routine that Sawyer Tadano follows on a weekly basis, running an average of about 60-70 miles a week to train for cross country and both track seasons he participates in. This is part of the regiment that has allowed Sawyer to be an 11 season varsity athlete, captain of both the cross country and track teams, and sit atop a pile of other accomplishments as well.

Among just a few of Sawyer Tadano’s accomplishments, Sawyer currently holds the MHS school records in the 1000 m, the 600 m, the freshman 800 m, and just recently broke the school’s mile time with a time of 4:29. Aside from the records he has set for the school, Sawyer is listed as one of the top competitors in the state, frequently placing, if not 1st, in most of his events. MDO was able to find out from Sawyer just how much work goes into becoming one of the best runners in MHS history.

As far as Sawyer’s training goes, Sawyer revealed a few of the things that were key to becoming as great an athlete as he is. “Arms are as important as legs in track,” he told us. “Triceps and biceps are essentials, it’s not all legs.” He also discussed that willpower and determination is inevitably what earns you the medal at the end of the day. The number of medals Sawyer has taken speaks volumes of how much his willpower exceeds that of his contemporaries.