HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD SEASON REVIEW 2019

​by Seth B., 10th grade

Track & Field is not for the faint of heart. The struggle our team went through together this season defines true teamwork; together we worked to become athletes who do rather than those who try. Despite the grueling work and occasionally downright depressing days in which we questioned what we were running and throwing for, we persisted, fighting sleep deprivation, fighting our own lack of desire, and setting goals, aiming at excellence. Sometimes I personally wanted to give in, but the desire to see myself and my friends through Districts and State kept me moving.

For some of us, Districts, held at Portland Christian High School, was the finish line, at least for this year. For others, it was the OSAA 1A State Championships, at Western Oregon University, May 17 and 18. The Archers were represented by four men in this year’s State meet. Aiden S. competed in both the 800 and the 1500 meter runs, running times of 2:14 and 4:30 respectively. Colin F. also competed, running 3000 meters in a time of 9:35. Seth B. ran the 800 meters in 2:01 and the 1500 meters in 4:10. Joshua W., our only senior to race at State this year, capped his high school career in the 110 meter high hurdles, taking sixth place with a time of 16.9 seconds, and the 300 meter intermediate hurdles, taking seventh, with a time of 43.5 seconds. Any athlete who “podiums” at State represents not just himself or herself, but the entire team. It was the work we did together that made the podium a possibility at all: We trained together in 32º weather. We encouraged each other through shin splints and hamstring injuries. We reminded each other to sleep, to drink, to eat well, to ice our injuries. Some of us even competed in the morning and played an instrument in the afternoon. The 2019 Archers Track & Field team never backed down from a challenge, and together we made the school proud.