This year’s winter track teams have exceeded expectations, excelling in both states and state qualifiers.  With the girls coming in second overall in counties, the boys having a first place 4×200 team finish, and one school record broken, the teams have been very busy the last few weeks.

For the girls team it all started in counties when the team came in second place overall, but the girls’ success did not stop there.  At state qualifiers, senior Lucy Hurt finished in first in the 1000 meter, and senior Megan Bazzini came in third in the 600 meter.  Junior Ava Gellis earned herself the third fastest time in the 300 meter dash, and senior Celia Christake finished in second in the long jump.  

“It was a very long and tiring meet, but I ran so many events to try and get a lot of points for our team,” said Hurt.  “Our second place finish made it worth it.” 

Both Bazzini and Hurt qualified for states, with Bazzini qualifying for the 600 meter and Hurt for the 1000 meter.  Additionally, Hurt ran in a sprint medley relay in which she finished fourteenth in the entire nation. 

At state qualifiers, Bazzini sprained her ankle and thought she would not be able to run as a result.

“It felt like weird deja-vu because I sat out of last winter season due to a fractured bone in my knee,” said Bazzini.  “But thanks to Mr Z and reminding myself of the goals I had set and my coach actually being really nice about it, I ran at states with my sprained ankle and came in sixth in the state and ninth including private schools.” 

At states, Bazzini broke the school record for the 600, although she had only ran the race four times before. 

“It was crazy because it was only the fourth time I ever ran the 600, and I ended up running two seconds faster than the standard and that time put me at sixth in the state,” said Bazzini.  

Bazzini is the only girl from Port Washington who has medaled in an open event.

The boys were also very successful in counties and had a number of top five finishes.  Thomas Kaprowicz finished fifth place in the 55 meter dash.  The 4×200 team, led by seniors JP Johnston, Thomas Kaprowicz, Kitman Lam, and Ryan Stevens, took first place. 

“Counties was great because we were finally competing for something important against teams we were running against throughout the season,” said Stevens.  “To come in first in 4×200 felt really great especially since the team we beat was ranked #2 in the state.” 

Senior Alexander Zsikla also came in first place in the long jump and finished third in the triple jump. 

States was a new experience for many people on both teams. Bazzini says she was alone with her coach at states, along with some boys from Port Washington. 

“Being at states was a new experience for the boys 4×200 team. The nerves got to the team as they messed up their first handoff,” said Stevens.  

Although they made a mistake to begin with, they still managed to beat their previous time by a second.

For many of the leaders of both teams, some of these races were their last.

“As my last race indoor I was glad to have run my fastest time in the 200 and I’m excited for spring season,” said Stevens. 

Hurt is running in college, but was still sad about her last race. 

“Running in potentially my last race was bittersweet, but it made all of the seniors run and leave everything on the track.  I wasn’t that upset though because I still have all of spring track and I’m going to be running in college,” said Hurt.

Preparation for big meets like these can be strenuous and stressful. 

“We prepared by working hard in practice and then when the meet comes, we do our roles,” said senior JP Johnston.

Both winter track teams continued their success from the cross country season, doing very well in counties, states, and nationals.  They hope to continue to perform into the spring track season bring home a county championship for Schreiber.