On May 7, Central Kitsap High School’s track team went against Peninsula High School at a home meet. The meet started out with two CK losses during the girl’s 4×200 relay and the girl’s 3200-meter run. The track team, boys and girls, both support and motivate each other to achieve their goals.
“Let’s just say everyone is aiming for the same goal,” track athlete JC Valenzuela said. “I was saying more like similar goals, but we’re all working together, and pushing each other to be the best that we can be. I would definitely say the best things happen on the bus rides to and from the track meets.”
Valenzuela believes that one of the main parts of track is to work together even though people are running different races. He stresses the importance of working together, even if players are on a team with different people.
“I think I did alright,” Valenzuela said. “It’s definitely not my best time, but it is very consistent with the PR’s that I’ve gotten so far.”
Having a personal record can be important to a track runner, especially when their sport is important to them. PR’s can make the runner better and can help them have more self discipline as they compete during a race.
“It was awesome,” track coach Neal Gaulden said. “We put together a well organized track meet which makes it run smoother. And it’s always fun at that point. It’s an amazing and exciting time.”
Gaulden is the head track coach and controls most of what happens at the track meets but still needs help from volunteers. The track meet ran smoothly, with all the volunteers contributing to help out the runners during the meet by cheering them on and calculating the scores to the most precise amount.
“I think I did okay, definitely not my best but you know, it was windy,” track athlete Scott Nickerson said.
Nickerson is setting new personal records as a runner. At this track meet, he got first place in the 4×400 boy’s relay race. The boy’s team who won got the fastest time with 3.44.27, setting a new PR.
Other than the wind and the boys track team not winning their match, the overall track meet was successful and had an outcome of the girls’ team bringing home the big win against Peninsula High School.
