Track and Field team competes at the Sting for the first time
Hackley runners eagerly line up for the start of their race. They get into their lanes, eyes forward on what is ahead. The track is dead silent as they wait for the gun to go off. A few seconds later and they explode out of their starting positions and race to the finish line.
With a team of almost 70 athletes, there’s a lot of excitement about Hackley’s track and field program this spring. In previous years, the cross-country and winter and spring track teams have consistently drawn more students than any other team. Despite the large numbers on the teams, they have not yet competed in a Sting. This spring, Hackley’s track and field team will be competing in the Spring Sting for the first time.
Three season track athletes were worried that they would never get the opportunity to run in a Sting. One of them, Sophomore Jonah Gorevic, said, “I’m really excited to be home for Sting this year. I was concerned that I would never get the opportunity to represent Hackley in any Sting, so I’m just happy to be able to participate.”
Despite track and field being home this year, there are still worries about attendance. All games are scheduled for 4:30, as there is Coffeehouse that Friday night. “I think it’s unfortunate that all of the events are at the same time considering it prevents all athletes from attending the other matches,” said Gorevic.
“Track and field is such an individual sport and because the meets are so long we usually don’t have a lot of fans. I think having a lot of people stopping by for the Spring Sting will bring good energy to encourage everyone to work harder and break their personal records,” senior javelin thrower and captain Ismene Germanakos said.
Although Germanakos will be unable to participate in this year’s Spring Sting, because it is taking place on Orthodox Good Friday and she will be in Greece at this time, she would have loved to have a crowd there while throwing the javelin.
The track team competing at home for Sting has raised the issue of losing Pickert Field, since that is where night games are typically played. However, athletic director Jason Edwards said, “I don’t think [losing Pickert] will impact much in regards to the students who come. [Having track on Pickert] does spread us out but it also involves all (but the golf teams) for varsity completion, which I think is important.”
Busing will be available for the first hour of the Sting down to lower fields. Support your peers and cheer on the Hackley JV and Varsity teams on April 26 at the Sting!
Update: Due to bad weather, the track meet was unfortunately canceled. The track and field team plans to compete in the Spring Sting next year.
