Good is never good enough for the SLz track team.
This year’s Track and Field team aims high for the new season. With new coaches and new people, the team has high expectations and goals themselves.
Coaches have their own expectations to obtain a great season.
“I just expect individuals to be there everyday and try different events that they’re not comfortable with. This will make us a better team by finding everyone’s strengths and weaknesses,” Coach Ben Draper said.
Track runners from the past return with their own aspirations for the team.
“I just expect people to do what they can, have fun while doing it, and progress as we go. Some goals are to [break] p. r. [personal record] and be proud of ourselves,” Sophomore Cassandra Senorin said.
Even new runners have high expectations and goals for the team and personally.
“I only want us to beat Arroyo HS. My goal is to redeem myself after a 0-10 season [Varsity football] and get some wins,” Senior football player Henry Diep said.
Previous cross country runners who have joined the track team, have similar hopes for themselves and the team.
“We need to have a more solid team like people trying their best, and not just trying to get in the yearbook. Personally, I want to get faster and get on Billy’s [McGrath] pace, and not to be so behind,” Senior Jose Perez said.
Athletes look ahead in the season.
“I want to make it to NCS [North Coast Sections],” said Perez, “That means I have to try my best always and never give up.”
The coaches have their goals for each runner as well.
“Our goal is to have individual HAAL [Hayward Area Athletics League] champions in different events, beat schools around or close to our size, and our team to rank around the middle of HAAL. We have some very talented runners that could make it to NCS. I believe John Vergara, Joshua Wright, Isaiaha Branche, Ivan Lomeli, and some others have a pretty good shot at NCS,” Draper said.
Athletic Director Bill Versino has a different intent for the team this year.
“Everyone [runner] must put in their best. Personal records are world records; personal records are gold medals,” Versino said