Niles West Track Sprints into the 2023 Season!

Niles West track recently started its 2023 season and is hoping to improve from the last. Both the boy’s and girl’s teams have received a lot of new members this year, and have high expectations for this season. For the first time in the past couple of years, the boy’s track team had to make cuts at tryouts. Hopefully, the high amount of student participation will correlate to their success this season.

Last season, Niles West seemed to underperform based on the standards they set, but they’re working harder than ever this season.

Junior Toby Galson’s best events are the 400 and 800-meter dashes. He has been progressing well each year and looks to possibly qualify for state next year. A common theme among the track team is a hunger for qualifying for state as a team, and individually. 

The boy’s performance from last season drives them to do better this year and is something they feel they could’ve done better on. 

The girl’s track team also had a fulfilling season last year, but still hopes to improve.

“I think last season we did a great job, a lot of girls PR’d at sectionals, everyone gave it their all, and overall the season was very fun,” junior Grace Zientarski said. The girl’s team has also had an increase in athletes this season and continues to improve day by day. The heart of the girl’s runners is what makes them a strong team.

“This season I hope to be more of a leader, and to motivate the team as well as myself,” Zientarski said when asked about her personal goals for the season. Going into her third season with Niles West track, she hopes to inspire and motivate her teammates to do well and become faster runners. 

When asked about their performance and expectations last season the boys track members always go back and think about Sam Burns, class of 2021.  “Sam Burns went to state and performed well. We did mediocre at conference, but overall we did a good job at setting ourselves up for future success,” junior Toby Galson said

“Sam Burns got third in the 110 meter high hurdles at state. The team did pretty well in our conference, but we weren’t good enough to put up a fight to go to state,” junior Logan Werth said.

Burns was a graduating senior last year, and one of the most talented athletes on the team. His hurdling expertise allowed him to place highly at the state, which is one of the most satisfying goals to achieve as a high school athlete.

Come support Niles West at the boys first meet this Friday, Feb. 3, and wish the girls luck on their first meet Tuesday, Feb. 7.