Dedication, motivation, perspiration

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by Irasema Del Castillo

Track can be a sport for everyone, even the less coordinated of the bunch.

There are running events, throwing events, and jumping events. Specific events include javelin, pole vault, shot put, hurdles, long and high jump, and running.

Javelin throw consists of an athlete throwing a javelin the farthest to win, but it must stick in the ground or it isn’t counted as a legal throw. However, in high school the athlete doesn’t need to make it stick in the ground in order for it to count. Javelin is only legal in a few high schools in a few selected states. Javelin athlete, junior Sam Nielsen says, “Track is awesome. It’s a lot of fun. Throwing is the best.”

Pole vaulting is also a big event this year, and the track team is pretty excited to participate in it. This event is fairly new to Timpanogos’ track team; this year is the second year in which they have competed it. Pole vaulting is where one has a long, tall pole and uses it to throw themselves over the bar, which is usually pretty high. Junior Matt Kreske says, “Pole vaulting is really fun. It’s awesome to have a pole lift you up ten feet and land on a big giant pad.”

Shotput is an event that has been going on in track for years. One has to be incredibly strong to throw eight pounds for the guys and five pounds for the girls, the farthest.

Becca Hutton, junior says, “It is most extraordinary to send a javelin soaring through the air, to put a shot put past all others and to spin a discus to the farthest it will go.”

Other events include hurdles: the 100m for the girls and 110m for the guys, and 300m for both girls and guys. Junior Griffin McGinn says, “Hurdles is sweet loving.”

Junior Jeff Fitzgerald says, “Hurdles look challenging, but once you get the hang of them they’re way fun and worth all the effort you put into it.”

The track team participated in the Simplot Games in February. The Simplot games included over 24 states and two to three providences in Canada. Out of the 31 individuals who went from THS, nine of them qualified. Two groups also qualified. Overall the team did great.

Junior, Tosha Hales described this event as, “Simplot was really fun. I met some of the coolest people there, and we partied it up. The races were fun and scary, but after it was finished, it felt really good. It was scary because there were so many people there and they were all so good.”

The team practices hard after school at three o’clock. Their very supportive coaches include Jody Benson and Brad Molen, and their assistant coaches are Tony Glover, Jen Fitzgarrald, and Kelly Schoney.

Junior Suzie Sorensen leaves us with her outlook on track. She says, “Track is fun because it’s different people from different groups doing different events working toward the common goal of being ripped champions together! Practice is long, hard, and surprisingly fun. I never would have thought that a good hard workout eases my stress after school. The team members and coaches are so fun. But it is a huge time commitment. I’m nervous for this season!”

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