Week #37: "Now That's The Way You Finish A Season!"

With VISAA States behind us, the Badgers walked across the street to Monticello to compete one more time - and truly left it all on the track. We saw lots of athletes try new events - including Eli in the 110 Meter Hurdles.  His time of 21.61 is a school record... which he ran in his debut - capping off an exceptional career for the talented senior! Eli also ran a PR in the 300 Hurdles (47.66)! Peter Dumars took on the 800 Meters for the first time, absolutely dominating his heat right from the start (it truly was not close) in a time of 2:16.99! Peter won easily, with Van taking 2nd in a new PR of 2:21 - nine seconds faster than his performance earlier this season! Kemaan, who had already enjoyed great success in the High Jump, flew down the runway and achieved a new Long Jump PR of 16'7" - an exceptional debut for an athlete who has had an first incredible season of Track and Field! The sky is the limit for Kemaan's Senior Season!

 

In the sprints, Aofie picked up right where she left off at states: setting the track on fire! With nearly all of her 9th Grade classmates there to watch the magic happen, Aoife dropped a half second off of her time, earning both a new PR and school record in the 200 - 28.29! As usual, Maeve was electric out of the blocks. Her times of 15.78 in the 100 and 33.76 in the 200 are both consistent with her personal best and a great way to conclude a strong season! Ian finished his career with a blazing fast 13.2 in the 100 Meters, while Kemaan ran an impressive 25.6 in the 200, nearly matching his PR.  

 

The 400 was full of fireworks as well. Gabriel placed third in a time of 53.19 (he's now a consistent low 53 every time!) and Sean's 1:08 is a new PR! Eve nearly matched her PR as well, flying through the line in a time of 1:17. 

 

It was a big day for Eve - who dropped ONE MINUTE AND THIRTY ONE SECONDS off of her mile time.  Confidence comes from preparation, and Eve has been giving it her all in workouts every single day. Eve's time of 7:00 is a massive improvement and a tribute to all of her hard work! Her Cross Country season is going to be epic! Avery - who has spent the whole year leveling up - gave the Badgers one more magical race. Avery's time of 6:40 is a TWENTY SEVEN SECOND PR - an incredible way to complete an inspiring career! Avery's training partners also had great races - with Claire (6:21) and Dhruvi (7:08) - both nearly matching their PR's!

 

Brendan's 1600 Meter time of 5:04 was also a four second improvement - and he came right back and did it again in the 800 - earning a PR of 2:19! While the aforementioned Peter D and Van dominated the first heat, it was Hayes at 2:01 winning the second heat (and the event outright!) Will's 800 Meter time of 2:28 is a 2 second PR - an exclamation point on a career of great success and leadership for Will! On the girls side, both Dhruvi (3:09) and Victoria (3:31) ran PR's of 3 and 8 seconds respectively. At this meet a year ago, Victoria ran the 400 - and it was challenging! Look at her now - a three season runner - accomplishing goals and achieving PR's from August to May!

 

Congratulations to all Track and Field Badgers on a special season. We knew it was going to be a special season when over 20 athletes arrived to the first "optional" Saturday 8:00 AM Practice - and continued to do so all season! The team trained in the cold, competed in the blazing heat and wind and rain, and grew to become the best versions of themselves. I am so proud of all of you - what fun we have had together!  Tandem Track and Field athletes achieved lots of new PR's, a crazy amount of school records, qualified for enormous meets like the Dogwood Invitational and VISAA States, where our squad placed 5th - our best result in Tandem history. As Ned put it: "what a special season and year. Records have been shattered. Races run. Bests beaten."

 

I am incredibly grateful for my partners in Running Down the Dream - the best Track and Field coaching staff hands down. Ned and I ran with the distance crew (and by the way, it is not normal for Varsity Track teams to have coaches like Ned who can run the workouts with state champions and is willing to do so at 6:30am!) Meanwhile, Jason and Melissa held down the fort for our speed/power athletes. Both groups had incredible success, in particular with the distance dominance from Hayes, Jack B, Claire, Lucy, Miles and Peter W, but it should be noted that Levie broke the school record in the discus, Gabriel won states in the 400, Aoife is a budding superstar in the 200, Kemaan high jumped 5'10", and our Boys 4x100 finished 5th - among elite competition - at VISAA States. What a well-rounded, exceptionally talented team!

 

Three cheers for Melissa - you have done so much for these kids and this program - and you mean so much to us all. We love you, and we know you'll continue Running Down the Dream in Texas, albeit in much hotter conditions! We miss you already.

 

Thanks again to the whole Tandem Track and Field community - especially the families for all of your support!  Can't wait to see you on the Cross Country course in August!