The winter track and field team officially kicked off its 2023 season on Thursday the 14th. Thursday’s meet focused on the jumpers and throwers on the team, but sprints, races and relays will compete in follow up meets on Saturday the 16th, and Tuesday the 19th. The track team is looking forward to their season this year, and looking to set a lot of new personal records in meets to come.
Track and field features a variety of athletes from school record holder Ella Tucker, to committed shot put throwers Maggie Kim and Andreas Panagos. With this many events, and over 100 athletes on the team, building close relationships within events is a crucial part of the sport. Speaking with thrower Maggie Kim, it was explained that bonding with the entire team is difficult, but the events you compete in become a family for the season. Head Coach Christopher Monaco will also pair upperclassmen with underclassmen in order to better integrate each event with each other.
Senior distance runner Eli Stodard expressed his excitement for the team’s meets at Ocean Breeze because of the PR opportunities. Criseyda Turner, senior hurdles runner explained that the corners of the track at Ocean Breeze are upturned, allowing most runners to hit personal records. Despite all competing in different events, all of the athletes on the team can agree that Ocean Breeze meets are the highlights of their season.
Many of these athletes will go on to compete in the 2024 spring track and field season, and a few may even continue their careers at the collegiate level. As previously mentioned, Andreas Panagos and Maggie Kim are both committed to Middlebury College for the same throwing events, and Ella Tucker is currently in conversation with colleges from the Division 1 and Division 3 levels.
The team has a lot of promising and dedicated athletes, and we are looking forward to hearing about all of their future success. Go Dodgers!