Track and Field

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On your marks// Participating in track and field means part taking in a variety of events; from running to jumping to throwing. After their first meets, athletes will find events that they shine best in and continuously work on that event to achieve a PR and a regional qualifying spot. (Photo by Jordyn Tribus)

by Jordyn Tribus

Participating in track and field is not your average walk in the park type of meet. There is immense pressure to achieve a PR, personal record, while trying to reach the regionally qualifying times. Track events take hours because there are so many events; runner’s meets range from the 100m to the 3200m, and the field athletes range from pole vaulting to long jumping. 

Starting off with the girls 100 meters, the athletes check in at the tables and begin to warm up. This event takes the longest because there are more students who run it than any other. Once they have warmed up, they take their place in their heat and lane. Hearing the gun go off might give others a heart attack, but for freshman Riley Brooks it’s the most glorious sound. Brooks placed second in the 100m dash and third in the 200m dash; 12.88 seconds and 26.98 seconds respectively, allowing her to regionally qualify in both events. She gave Coronado a leading chance for a high ranking in this meet. For Coronado’s boys team, senior Jeremiah Kunitake took first in this event, among others (200m dash and long jump). He raced against other Coronado runners in addition to other schools, completing his dash in 11.26 seconds. This racing time allowed him to regionally qualify.  

“I ran my 100m and won which was a great feeling especially since one of the guys got out way better than I did,” Kunitake said. “While it was great to win that run, I would say the 200m is what I consider my event. The gun went off and I ran a good first half of my race and a kid from Liberty was right on me, but he didn’t beat me. Currently I sit first in the state event for the 200m.”

Heading into the field part of these meets is where long jumping, high jumping, discus throwing, pole vaulting and other events take place. Pole vaulting is a very particular event that is hard to master, but once done correctly, it is absolutely incredible to watch. For those who don’t know, pole vaulting is when an athlete uses a stick to pull themselves into the air and over a floating bar; touching the bar of any sort will disqualify the jumper. This is no sweat for Ccougar Kade Brahma as he placed third in this event with a height of 11-0ft. Next up are the girls. For junior Kaylee Daniel pole vaulting is in her blood. Daniel’s reached an impressive height of 11-6ft on her rotation, which gave her the height to rank first place in this event.

These are only a fraction of what you will actually see at the track and field meets. There is much encouragement to come out and watch the next home meet @ 4:30 on March 22nd.