As the Patriots take on their first meet of the winter season on Dec. 4, they look to bring back some key runners from last year.
Senior sprinter Keith Cartwright looks to have another outstanding season and lead the Patriots to victory after leading the team last year in the 55m dash with 6.55 seconds and the 300m dash of 38.24 seconds. “I am really looking forward to this season and I hope I can set some new personal records and help us win,” Cartwright said.
Cartwright has always had a strong love for track. He used to play baseball in middle school, but in high school he quit baseball to work on track. “I loved to play baseball, but track is definitely my main sport that I wanted to focus on,” Cartwright said.
On the girls’ side, the Patriots lost their 55m dash sprinter, Ana Schref, who graduated last year, but they are bringing back their 300m dash sprinter, senior Kayla Hill, who lead the team with 43.8 seconds.
Junior Osagie Aimiuwu is a returning sprinter who looks to have a big season. Aimiuwu was tied for fourth on the team in the 55m race and was fifth on the 300m race. Although the team is not big this year, Aimiuwu is one of key returners who look to carry the Patriots.
For the girls’ 800 meter track, the girls bring back their three time leaders last year, seniors Jessica Trzeciak, Erin Chelf and Margaret Christovich. “I am excited for our first meet to see how much we have improved from last year,” Chelf said.
In county championships last year, the Patriots on the boys’ side finished ninth out of 24 teams last year with a score of 24 and the girls finished 21st with a score of three.
During the winter track season, boys and girls continue to go outside and practice during the long, brutally cold winter. As the wind rushes through the air it chills people bones, but track continues to practice outside. “It is really hard having to practice in the cold, but the results in the meets pays up for it,” Trzeciak said.
On Dec. 4, the Patriots had their first meet. The Patriots won their heat for the boys 4×200 race with a time of 1:38. 7, beating out Northwest, B-CC, and Paint Branch.
