For those who don’t know, track and field involves running and sprinting, with many other events related to jumping and throwing. Though not as popular as football, track and field is celebrated worldwide. The sport is well-recognized in the Olympics, and highly decorated Olympic track and field athletes include Sha’Carri Richardson, Noah Lyles, Usain Bolt, and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
Even though Santiago High School is not the Olympics, it has many distinguished athletes who have competed, intending to be the best they can be on and off the field. The spring season starts soon, and athletes are beginning to train and give their all.
“I’ve always considered track and field an opportunity to improve myself. I like to be around friends who support me. I get to race with people much faster than me, making me challenge myself. Track and field are sports where you can find what you’re good at and what skills you’re good at. When you put effort into track, you put your best effort into everything that you do. “- Marcus McNeal III (26’, sprints and long jump)
“Trying to get better to prove to people who doubt me and myself that I am as good as I think motivates me. I like how this team is a big family; everyone supports each other even if they don’t know each other. People should join because it 
gets you in shape, and it’s a great way to get bad things outta your mind.” – Amanda Zandi (26’, sprints)
“Probably the goals I set for myself and the drive to improve inspire me. I like the people that I surround myself with. My team is my family, but it’s also an individualized sport. People should join track & field because they become a family. It’s different in other sports, but it’s a great opportunity.” – Hayley Cortez (25’, leader of throws)
“I think what motivates me is my family and friends, especially my girlfriend. I like that track & field offers a lot of opportunities and is open to pretty much anyone. I like doing distance since I’ve been doing it for some time and I found a passion for running. I think people should join because it’s a social sport, and our meets are fun because we get to compete against a lot of schools and a lot of people at the same time, and we get to just hang out with each other a lot.” – Lennon Copas (26’, distance)
People don’t become experienced athletes overnight! With the new year, comes incoming freshmen from different schools and people who come from different sports, ready to explore.
“I like learning things about jumping. Just jumping through the air feels amazing, and I’ve always felt like a good jumper. I feel really stabilized when I jump, too. I like having some of my friends on the team, and my brother, Lennon, is helpful at times. People should join because it’s a good opportunity to make friends, it’s not a sport that involves hitting anyone or anything, so if there are people who aren’t into that, they might like track & field. The feeling before going to your event at a meet is so exhilarating, too. It’s also not a challenge to be better than everyone, but more of a personal challenge, like improving on your time for a run or your distance for a jump. When I was in Speedtacular, I came in last at almost every event at every meet. But it didn’t matter because I improved. I was better than the ‘me’ from the previous meet.” – Cruz Copas (28’, long jump and sprints)
“I like that we do different methods to train because I feel like it’s helping me improve in my events. I like that I get to hang out and meet new people since the team is so big. I think people should join track because it’s a fun sport, and there are many events to figure out what you’re best at and what skills you have.” – Bella Pulido (28’, sprints and long jump)
“What I like most about training is being able to get faster so I’d get a better time in what I do. Right now, I just like that I’m practicing with friends because I’d hate to be alone. New people should join because track could be a fun activity to do if you want to, with or even without friends.” – Alek Acevedo (28’, sprints)
Coaches are thrilled to be coaching track and field this year. The women’s distance athletes won the CIF Championship last spring, earning themselves Championship rings. Now, they have high expectations of how this season will unfold.
“Pole Vault is a very individualistic sport. I would hope and expect for each Vaulter to commit to this sport and at least match, if not better, their PR. Everyone progresses at their own pace. I enjoy studying this sport and the physics & mechanics of it. I enjoy learning from other professional coaches and elite athletes who have been involved with this sport way longer than I have. I enjoy watching individual athletes succeed and progress in this sport. As a coach, I try to help individuals progress to the best of their abilities. I also enjoy encouraging athletes not to give up on this sport and to enjoy the small accomplishments. This sport is fun. I want each athlete to have fun in this sport. I think if an individual athlete wants a challenge and wants to push their body and mind, they should join the pole vault. Pole vault is one of the most technically challenging of all Track & Field events. It combines a run and a vertical jump with the use of a tool (the pole). I often tell our athletes: “There are only about six things that have to go perfectly right to get over the bar….what could be challenging about that??? So, if athletes want to challenge themselves, the pole vault might be the right sport for them. – Coach Rathmann, Pole Vault Coach
