Girls track and field kicked off their season with a strong start at their first meet on Thursday, Feb. 9 against Glenbrook South and Francis Parker.

For many of the 209 girls on the track team, this was their first track meet ever. The first two track meets, times and statistics are not recorded. The purpose of these meets is to show the new girls the structure of a meet, and to get seasoned returns back into the swing of things.

It was, “a new and exciting experience,” said sophomore Olivia Hart. “The meet was more of a starting point to see where everyone is in their abilities and how they can improve throughout the season. The continuous support from teammates motivated athletes to do their best.”

Junior Megan Patterson agreed, “It was our first meet so it was a little hectic and confusing for a lot of people but it was a great start to the season.”

Senior sprinter Kate Holly, said, “Everyone ran, jumped, or threw really well. It seemed like those who were new to track got the hang of how a meet is run and got some great experience.”

Robert Spagnoli, the head varsity girls coach said, “The meet went great.  We had a large number of kids compete in all four areas of our team.  Everyone was enthusiastic and competed to the best of their abilities.”

Last year, girl’s track qualified several girls for state in events including the 4x400m relay, 4x800m relay, and the 400m.

“Last year we had an amazing season.  We won the CSL South, Sectionals and had a large number of All-State athletes,” said Spagnoli.

This season, Holly explained, “I really hope that as a team we’re focused and determined to reach our goals. We want to qualify for state in all our sprint events. While that is an ambitious goal, it’s definitely achievable, especially with the group of girls we have now. We have so much talent this year, and I think great things are to come of it.”

Spagnoli agreed, “Our team goals are pretty easy. We want to win the CSL South Conference Meet, the IHSA Sectional Meet, and be a top ten team in the state of Illinois.”

Track also gives opportunities for many inexperienced athletes to break into the world of competitive athletics.

“For someone who is doing track for the first time, my hopes and goals for the season is to meet new people and be a supportive teammate. An athletic goal of mine is to push myself past what I think are my limits and out of my comfort zone, because if I don’t, then I am only cheating myself,” Hart said.

Goals like qualifying for state are ambitious and can only be accomplished by putting in hard work at practices.

“Our practices are not focused on specific meets this early in the season.  Our practices are obviously focused on training for the entire season and getting stronger and faster every day. We train 6 days a week for a total of 18 different events outdoors.  To be successful as a track and field team you must have depth and be prepared for athletes doing multiple events,” Spagnoli said.