BY LAILA Mohamed-Ali
As the boys and girls winter track season approaches, the returning runners look forward to improving and bringing home a GMC title this time around.
The athletes have set their expectations high for their personal goals and goals as a team. “I expect for myself to break the school record in the 55m dash,” said senior Steven Davies. “As a team I’m expecting us to perform past our standards and, hopefully, bring home a GMC title.”
Coach Scott Beverly has high hopes for the strong group of returning seniors. “We’re all locked in mentally and have been training in the offseason to make sure we come back better,” said senior Tasye Walker.
With some of the top performers from last year graduating, the underclassmen must collectively work hard to take the place of the seniors. “A few of the seniors are gone, but the underclass men have been training hard to fill their spots,” said Nicholas Makoul, whose 4×400 relay team that qualified for the Meet of Champions last year.
Every year, the team changes, but it can sometimes be for the better. “This year’s team is different from last year’s team because we are stronger this year. We work as a team, and we all push each other to be the best that we could be,” said Victoria Botte, who finished first in the GMC Tournament 1600m race last year. “We are stronger and better this year and we all work hard.”
The total number of athletes on the team has dropped off this year, but the ones who remain will make the most of their opportunities. “The less people allow us to spend more time to focus on our technique and improve,” Maliha Nuredinoska. “Even though we’re a smaller team, I think we’re stronger overall and ready to compete.”
Coaches Matthew Tiplady and Beverly increased the intensity of the team’s training plan this year and put a greater emphasis on weight training and injury prevention. “We started our season workout early so when the season actually starts, we will be in shape to perform,” said Muhammad Ziyad.
Both the boys and girls teams have set ambitious goals for the season. “I expect the team to make it really far,” said Alyssa Penn. “We have so much talent and potential, and I can’t wait to see the progress we make with it.”
The coaches hope to advance as many athletes as possible to the Group IV State Championships. “This year’s team is even hungrier to win than last year’s,” said Joshua Santiago. “Guys want to win their races and win meets as a team.”
The winter track season starts today with a meet at the Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex in Toms River.
Posted on 12/17/24
Photos by Lors Photography
Knight Life 