With June slowly approaching, the Track and Field team leaves their lanes with their heads held high. A season with solid improvement, good performances and a plethora of memories is a good way to wrap up a sport. For many, this season is the last, but for others, this was their first, marking a journey that one has finished and another has started.
Aurea Hickenboth (12) was one of the team captains for the season. Committed to bettering themselves and the team, the captains worked diligently to challenge themselves and others. Notably, Hickenboth had a huge impact on the pole vaulting section. Hickenboth started pole vaulting during the winter, where she competed for the indoor track team. This success set her up for a great senior season, getting her second place in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League. Along with Hickenboth, Noah Chaousy (11) clinched a ninth-place finish in the hurdles, andTrinity Vojtko (11) got sixth in discus at the WPIAL meet.
“This has been my third year doing throwing events, and this year it feels like I really did my best work. During the Pine-Richland meet, I [got a personal record] in discus, and got sixth overall,” Vojtko said. “Next year, I’m really looking forward to my senior season and getting the chance to compete at States this year.”
With the team in an overall good standing, they wanted to reflect on their season. One of the biggest parts of sports is to see improvement among the players. Along with new members, the team faced new challenges and new difficulties. Even so, the teamwork and atmosphere shared among the team allowed themto reach their personal goals.
Whether it be the tedious practices after school or the long runs, each player had an essential part in the team. Along with the increased internal competition, external competition also increased. The meets provided good insight on where the teams stood; some meets had more than 50 different schools. Even so, players still broke their personal records and finished close in competitions, with three athletes making appearances at WPIAL podiums. With remarkable records and mental improvement, the team was consistently working, both mentally and physically.
“Now that my junior season is done, it’s a really good time for me to reflect on my overall personal improvement. My team wasn’t able to make it to States, but we still performed extremely well, which I am very proud of,” Mackenzie Morhbacker (11) said. “Next year, I hope to continue to lead the team in a good direction and welcome any new players to my family.”
With every jump, the season was more than just a competition; it was a test to see what community, unity and grit can really achieve. School is closing, and the track team runs proudly as they set another Legacy for freedom.