As the track season progresses, individuals aim to break records
After the first few meets of the season were cancelled, it has been a different experience for the track and field athletes, most of whom are returning from last year, to work towards their goals for the season. Even with the shortened season, both individuals and relay teams are working to participate in state, or even to break school records.
Nolan Ahlm
Senior captain Nolan Ahlm hopes for a successful season as his sixth year running track for BSM. Ahlm runs the 110 meter high hurdles and jumps the long jump and triple jump. Running cross country in the fall helps keep him in shape for the track season. “I hope to make it to state in the hurdles and triple jump,” Ahlm said. Ahlm is hoping to break the school record in the triple jump of 46 feet and a half inch, set by Thirsten Andrew in 1998. With the high hurdles being Ahlm’s other focus, he practices on the key parts of the race to do well. “Usually for hurdles, I’ll practice my starts because that’s the most important part of the race,” Ahlm said.
Jay Biwer
Junior captain Jay Biwer is training with his relay team, made up of juniors Andrew Egger, Taras Tataryn, and sophomore Matt Cornell. They are working for a chance to participate at state and the prestigious Hamline Elite Meet this year. Individually, Biwer hopes to improve on his 2-mile event, narrowing his time down to nine minutes and fifty seconds. Part of Biwer’s relay team, Egger practices and sets individual goals to help himself get better and also help the relay team. “I hope to break five minutes in the mile this year. I feel good about it,” Egger said.
Angela Charley
Being part of the track and field team since seventh grade, junior Angela Charley is hoping to break the record for discus that was set by Alana Profit in 2009 with a distance of 121 feet and 6 inches. “My coaches have pushed me to be better than I thought I could be,” Charley said. With a great work ethic and fantastic athletic ability, she is able to stay in shape and, when spring comes around, is ready to perform. “I play other sports which help me stay in shape for track. Also, two or three months before track officially starts I will start to work out and lift weights and get in shape for the season to start,” Charley said.
Thomas Gorrilla
For senior captain Thomas Gorrilla, the bad weather conditions bring positive motivation and mean more training and preparing for next season when he runs track in college with The University of St. Thomas. With a torn ACL, Gorrilla is fighting through the frustrating indoor workouts, and he sets a great example for some of the seasons coming up for the younger Red Knights. “I can’t run this year because of my ACL but I can do some workouts and stuff. I’m a captain and I’m there to support and help out,” Gorrilla said.
Haley Jerabek
Haley Jerabek, senior captain of the girls’ varsity team, is a returning track and field athlete who has participated in state, placing 8th in the 800 in 2011 and placing 6th in the 800 in 2012. With records in the 800, 1600, and 3200 already, she expects to return strongly this season and improve on her earlier success. She got 6th place in state her freshman year, and 8th place her sophomore year. “My goal this year would probably be to make it back to state in the 800,” Jerabek said.
Gavin McLain
Senior Gavin McLain has proven his track abilities in the past and is working to break the school record this year in discus and shot put. “I feel like the weather is bad, but we’ll be ready,” McLain said. McLain has been a leader on the track team since he became a part of the team in seventh grade.
Jonathan Sutton
Senior captain Jonathan Sutton plans on improving his shot put and discus records this season. With a lot of focus this year on proper technique, the potential is there. “The weather is bad and it’s hard to actually practice, but there is more time for form and technique being inside,” Sutton said. Sutton has been a member of the track team for all of his high school years and looks to lead the team to big things.