Track and field is a sport performed indoors or outdoors and made up of several events, including running, pole-vaulting, shot-putting, and long-jumping. Yet, both the coaches and the athletes know that track is much more than that. It is a sport filled with athletes who are always looking to improve and help others to improve.
Senior mid-distance runner Sarah Sutorka can attest to this, as she has been an essential part of the track program for four years.
“Sarah is one of my favorite alltime runners. She has been with us for four years, and she’s been just a hard working mid-distance runner. She’s an 800 meter runner, mainly in a 4×8 relay. She also contributed to our 400 of 4×4 meter relay,” track coach John Lowery stated. “She has worked very hard, really pushed herself to do well, and is just an exceptional individual.”
“The 800 meter has always been my favorite,” Sutorka stated. “The hurdles were new and exciting, but I couldn’t continue it because of my hips.”
She experienced a hip injury mid-season and, consequently, was limited in her ability to run and jump. After weeks of physical therapy, her injury recovered enough for her to continue competing.
However, while Sutorka was recuperating, other runners were improving their times, which impeded her chances of competing in state.
“Our expectation is that she qualify for state in the 800 meter and she missed it by four or five seconds. It absolutely could’ve been the difference,” Lowery stated. “However, she did an amazing job with what she had and limited training, so it’s just one of those things that happen; injuries happen.”
The athletic team remains hopeful, though.
“We don’t know what it’s going to be like in the beginning, but they always do very well,” equipment manager Derwin Coleman, commonly known as D.C., said.
Since he is in charge of distributing uniforms, he knows all too well the substantial amount of
athletes participating in track.
The boys’ team had an exceptional season as well. The 4×1 team, consisting of junior Jackson Spilsbury and seniors Jordan Carder, Reggie Blader, and Terren Blanchard, placed first in the Chandler City meet with a time of 42.39 seconds. Blanchard was also a leading competitor in the 100 meter race. In the Southeast Valley Invitational, he placed tenth and, as a whole, the team placed eleventh.
Overall, the girls’ team was young this year; three girls qualified for state. Yet, the team will be gaining new members next year.
“We actually scored a point in state with Alana Fallon setting a school record in her triple jump which was exceptional for her,” said Lowery. “We had some really good times with the girls. Alyssa Yanish set a school record in the long jump. So overall, we were pleased.”
