Photo by Jim Eppard

Junior Rendon Yerman runs at the Seneca Valley Regional Championships in the 2023 season.

Track and field enters the season with hopes of being one of the best teams in recent school history. With many runners this year entering or already a part of the recruitment process for D1, D2, and D3 schools, and some who are already committed to colleges for track, there is a bright season ahead for this team. Many runners on this promising varsity team are of all grade levels, meaning a bright future for the years after as well. The best runners in short and long distance races are especially talented, some of whom are close to a school record.

As the season is just starting, the team has yet to show their full potential. “A lot of meets are coming up. I have my first meet on Saturday and it will be a difficult one. Although the competition is tough this year, I think we have a good chance to win events,” junior Ricky Gomez said.

The competition Gomez deemed “tough” aren’t new faces to the sport in Montgomery County. “Churchill is definitely going to be one of the hardest competition for us this year, as they have a solid team every year,” Gomez said.

Gomez will run the 4×800 meter relay this season with his partners, freshman Adam Downie, Brandon Dickerson, and junior Ellis Eppard. He will also compete in the 800 meter and the mile. He said he believes Coach Kellie Redmond can help them succeed and win meets and events this season. To reach their potential, long distance runners have to complete specific workouts at practice. The workouts for Gomez are as follows: run one mile, one-minute rest, run another mile, jog one lap, run four 200-meters.

With much of the long distance team with sub-five minute miles, the overall team is solid, with any of them being good competition against their opponents. On the short distance side, runners are looking good as well. Senior commits RJ Cui and Anish Yarra, going to University of Rochester and University of Chicago respectively, lead the team.

Junior Toby Subiela, a part of the short distance and field team, is looking to have a good first year competing under Coach Mo Drammeh, the short distance coach. Subiela is competing in the 400 meter and triple jump events. “I look forward to my first year and I think that although I have lack of experience in track, my background in soccer can help me significantly in my events,” Subiela said.

Track is not only for people who are experienced and wish to compete in college. “If anybody wishes to try out for track but is scared of not being good, do it because it will benefit your fitness but is also a great experience competing and being with your friends,” Subiela said.