In the mid-season of high school track, the team sets the track on fire with their remarkable performances and their determination.
Camille Williams (12), is on varsity and has been for three years. Williams has recently broken a school record in the 300 meter hurdles event with a time of 46.2. Breaking the school record has been her highlight this season and she’s proud of her hard work paying off.
“My goal has been breaking the school record for 300 meter hurdles, and I’m hoping I can break more records,” said Williams.
Williams started running at nine years old, but took a break and started back again during her sophomore year.
“The hardest part is definitely the mental aspect because it’s a lot of physical kind of pressure it puts on your body, so you need to make sure that your mind is in sync with your body to make sure that you can push through these difficult workouts,” said Williams.
While it can be physically and mentally challenging, this is what she enjoys most about track.
“The easiest is being able to bond with the team because we’re all going through these hard workouts together, so being able to lean on one another when times are difficult is helpful,” said Williams.
Williams’ goal for this season is to make it to state or the finals to qualify for state to end her track journey.
Sanjog Sooch (10) who goes by the name Sunny, started running track in 8th grade because his friends started it as well. Sunny is a distance runner and runs the 600 and 800 meter. In the 600 he has a 1.28, and the 800 a 2.02. His highlight this season was going to the winter state championship with his teammates. Sooch wants to continue his track journey in college and wants to go to The University of Notre Dame in Indiana.
“I want to run at Notre Dame because it has good academics and a good track team,” said Sooch.
One goal Sooch has for himself this season is a sub two in the eight hundred. He also wants to achieve under 4.30 in the mile. To make this goal happen he will practice harder and have the right mind set.
Lily Fernandez (10) is on varsity and has been for two years. She started her track journey in 8th grade because her mom told her she had to choose a sport, and track seemed like the more fun one to her. Fernandez’ main events are sprinting the 100 meter and relays. Her best time is a 13.5 in the 100 meter and it has been her highlight this season. The part she struggles with the most is the mental mindset.
“The mindset that I have; I sometimes can be too hard on myself and that can cause me to be down, but you I always think of the positives,” Said Fernandez.
“Some advice I would give to a new track runner would be you might not be the best because it’s your first time, but if you keep putting in that effort and focus on what you’re best in and just have the confidence and not give up you can do it,” said Fernandez.
A goal Fernandez has for herself this season is to get below thirteen or get thirteen flat and to get that goal she wants to get in more practice and try harder.
Thus far heritage high school’s track team is looking strong and is set up for a good season.
