Being on the AHC track team takes a lot of commitment and effort, teaching lifelong skills in teamwork and personal character growth. The members of the team practice every day during this winter indoor season to train to become the fastest they can be as a runner. A track meet usually takes place every weekend, with the track team usually traveling occassionally for a meet. Those team trips contributed to creating a close-knit community.
The longer each runner has been on the team and traveled with the team, the stronger the bonds they’ve made.
“I’ve been running for three years and I’ve enjoyed running track since I’ve gotten to Holy Cross,” senior track runner Ava Zimmerman said excitedly.
In January, the Tartan sprinters went to New York City for the East Coast Invitational Meet at The Armory NYC, to represent Holy Cross. This included open races as well as sprint medley relays. The trip was coordinated by the AHC head coach Carlos Pla.
“It’s a ton of fun to be overseeing this all. It feels amazing to train kids and see them exude their talents on the big platform like the Armory New York City,” Pla mentioned.
While in New York, the team bonded with many fun moments that the runners will remember.
“I love this trip. I feel like this trip has been very fun and it makes us all become closer as a team,” senior Argyros proudly exclaimed. “I felt really anxious because I had to run. However I also felt very excited to be in New York. And it’s really cold.”
Many people join the track team in hopes to run, but also in hopes to create lifelong friendships in a tight knit community. The track team created lots of memories and bonds over the past couple of years, as well as connecting with those who they would not normally connect with in the classroom.
“Being at Holy Cross on the track team and going on the trip allowed me to create new relationships and talk to new people in school because we both run track,” Zimmerman exclaimed. “I feel like it’s super fun because it brings people together and brings out a funny side to everyone,”
With winter indoor track season rolling into the outdoor season, it was impressive to see the gains of the seniors who have been running since freshman year.
“I am extremely happy to see where we’ve come but it is sad that the seniors will be going off to college soon,” Pla mentioned.
Running track is more than a sport, it is endless time with the same people with practice being a time to decompress and live in the moment. Although runners go through so much training, the travel, fun are all worth it.
“I feel like when you’re having so much fun everything goes by so much quicker. And I love having a lot of fun to pass the time,” Zimmerman exclaimed. “I feel a lot more in tune to every runner’s life to people that I normally wouldn’t have chatted with if they hadn’t joined my team. I feel really happy that everyone here is becoming closer.
