When you think of track and field, people often think of only the running aspect of the sport. Many teenagers typically dismiss track and field as a sport to pursue due to a dislike of running, but what our student-athletes strive to highlight is the distinction that lies within the sport.

Mackenzie Book is a freshman and participates in the mile and the 800 for the track team.

“You don’t have to like running in order to participate in track and field,” Book said. “What makes track unique is the variety of events that it offers.”

Some of the most revered and iconic athletes in history were those involved in some of the lesser-known events of track and field, such as pole vaulting, shot put, javelin and hammer throwing. These events bring diversity to the sport that can’t be found anywhere else. 

Gabriella Turchetti is a senior and focuses on running relays and open 800s on the track team. For Turchetti, the diversity of the events also correlates with the diversity of the team.

“Track and field foster more diversity than any other sport,” Turchetti said. “It breaks down discrimination barriers, so performance comes down to skill.”

In addition, Turchetti highlights the mental aspect of the sport.

“[Track] is a sport where people gather to run, sweat, sometimes suffer and celebrate together,” Turchetti said. “It’s most importantly about a ‘me vs. me’ mentality when competing against other individuals.”

Track and Field is mostly an individual sport but the team is needed to support one another, especially when the competitive atmosphere can take a toll on one’s mental health.

Jack Tan is a freshman on the track team and focuses on pole vaulting as his event. He underlines the struggle that comes along with keeping a positive frame of mind in the face of defeat.

“As a pole vaulter, you have to develop the mental strength and mindset to deal with the guaranteed failures and setbacks that come along with the event,” Tan said. “But once you master that, pole vault becomes the most positive and uplifting sport there is out there.”

Ups and downs are a part of every sport and are guaranteed with almost every athlete. Discovering how to deal with drawbacks is how athletes build character and learn how to become better teammates and players. 

Trent Wilson is the track coach and has a positive outlook for the future of the track team.

“Track has been thriving here at Wakefield, and student-athletes are preparing themselves as the season continues through the spring,” Wilson said.