2019 Outdoor Track Preview
Tiffany Chin completing her hurdles for the competition.
Feb 28, 2019
With indoor track wrapping up, that means it’s time for the outdoor track season to begin. Hoping for cooperative weather, having new, impactful athletes, and veterans that are expected to make a run, this year’s season is one that definitely won’t go unnoticed.
Outdoor track is a co-ed season, consisting of long distance and short distances runners from both the girls and boys track and field teams. Having both girls and boys together not only makes for more opportunities to win but allows a large number of athletes to compete in a tough conference.
Boys track and field head coach Chris Vivone is very excited and eager to watch the boys perform the remaining season of the school year.
“What I’m excited about is seeing the hard work that they are putting in right now and seeing them already improve. We have been doing a lot of great things in the weight room, good things with our training, distance is working as best as they can with the weather, and I’m just really excited to see these guys make their marks through the work we are doing,” Vivone said. “I expect the upperclassmen to lead and by the time they leave, I want the younger guys to know the process of being in a track meet, what a hard practice looks like, and that won’t come on its own. If the seniors leave and the younger guys know how to conduct themselves, then they did their job as leaders.”
Along with Vivone, four-time participants and senior captain Christian Lewis agrees that he is excited to compete in conference and see what his teammates and himself can accomplish.
“I’m excited for us building our chemistry, running with my same relay team since freshman year, and ultimately winning. Some expectations I have for this year are to beat North, win the conference, and qualify for state for the 4 x 100 relay,” Lewis said. “With our experience and closeness, I definitely see us taking things far and making a mark within the conference.”
On the other end of the spectrum, the girl’s team is very happy to start their season as well. Having a few returners with great experience, they expect big things to occur throughout the season.
Girls track and field head coach Mark Medland is already proud of the girl’s efforts throughout the offseason and wants to see them have fun.
“We’re excited about qualifying girls for the state meet. We have two returning qualifies, Alba Note and Danielle DiMaria, and we believe that this year’s group looks stronger than last year. We have several girls who have returned to the team with goals of All-Conference and State Qualification,” Medland said. “The girls are working hard. The expectations are for the veteran girls to lead the team in achieving state qualifying marks while having a great time.”
Senior captain and four-time participant Tiffany Chin is very enthusiastic for what this season has in store for the girls and wants to go out on a high to end her career here at West.
“I’m looking forward to running on a bigger track outdoors. Being able to run in the wind and rain is always a fun challenge. For my last year, I ultimately just want to beat my times from last year and hit a state qualifying time in hurdles,” Chin said. “I also just want to spend as much time with my teammates as possible and really finish strong to wrap up my track and field career.”
Track and field is a great way for kids to get involved, express their talents among the best athletes, and have fun while doing it. Fans and supporters should expective a competitive environment full of support, talent, and victories.
Be sure to come out on Sat., April 6, as the Wolves host the Gans-Zeedyk Invite at 9:00 A.M. in Basrak Stadium.
