Most students perceive track as an easy sport. It doesn’t appear to require any complicated skills, they don’t hold tryouts and it seems as if it would be very simple to excel in. All of these things combined make track a very popular extracurricular activity. In reality, track is a sport that takes an enormous amount of hard work and dedication. Those who wish to do well practice constantly, some for hours each day. On March 4, Olivia Howell, Jasmyne McCoy and Hailey Erkkila traveled to the University of Akron for the Indoor Track and Field state meet.

Howell, who has been participating in track for the past four years, won the 1600 at the state meet. She practices daily, sometimes running four to five miles at a time, and is inspired by her relatives to continue to do so.

“I have a cousin in Texas who also runs, and she inspires me to continue to push myself.” Howell said. “It’s really fun to compete with our times.”

Being able to go to a state event is a big deal; most athletes don’t make it far enough to be able to compete at such a high level. Hailey Erkkila, a junior at SHS, qualified for the outdoor track and field state meet both her freshman and sophomore year, and went to the cross country state meet last year. This was her first year participating in indoor track, and she placed 19th in the 800m.

“Going to the state meet was a great opportunity, since I was able to compete against some of the best runners in Ohio,” Erkkila said. “The meet also excited me for all of the possibilities that the outdoor season holds for my team and myself.”

Winning anything is an accomplishment, especially at a state event. Senior Jasmyne McCoy won second place in the triple jump, an event in which the competitor runs down the track leaping three times before landing in a sand pit. McCoy is the state runner-up with a jump of 35 feet, 9 ¾ inches.

“Winning made me feel like I was in a dream,” McCoy said. “Standing up on the podium with a silver medal around my neck will forever be remembered as my most memorable sports accomplishment.”

Although there are many events in track and field, the entire team unites together to support each competitor at all meets. This helps ensure that the students grow closer as a team.

“I continue with the sport because of the people and the sense of accomplishment it brings me.” Erkkila said. “I have met some of my best friends through running, and have also had one of my greatest moments of success in track.”

McCoy agrees with Erkkila in the idea that the team is a very close-knit group and that helps them remain a team that encourages each other to do their best.

“Though we might not practice together, at meets we are always extremely supportive of one another. Throwers cheer on long distance runners. Sprinters cheer on runners.” McCoy said. “Everyone is just really dedicated to the team because we want to see everyone succeed.”