As piercing sunlight bore down on athletes competing on Central Kitsap High School’s home turf for the Senior Night Track and Field Meet, groups amassed in droves to battle out a combined total of 32 events against Capital High School. While runners warmed up, other athletes and referees assembled a marked-off zone featured for javelin throwers, whilst hurdles were set up on the track for the first events. Other competitors gathered by soccer goal posts, where equipment and personal items were clustered, either chatting or stretching.
Before the Track and Field Meet began, seniors were directed to gather at the 50-yard line, where they were given flowers and leis as a commendation for their dedication to the team. Coaches also voiced fondness for their seniors, exhibiting concise yet characteristic speeches devoted to each specific graduating student.
“[I keep coaching throughout the years due to] passion, giving back to the kids and the youth, mentoring them through something they love doing, something I love coaching, that I loved doing when I was young, watching them flourish,” Track and Field head coach Neil Gaulden said. “Finding a passion is something that they can do and accelerate in and be a part of something that has good commitment and support.”
Alongside coaches’ speeches, underclassmen also showed appreciation for their seniors by creating individualized chalk-drawn squares featuring full names and creative designs. Black balloons were tied to the field’s fences, while a plethora of parents and friends gathered to watch the events.
“I mean, if you just look around the field right now, there are photos for our seniors and decorations,” senior javelin thrower Kai Livingston said. “They’re making them chalk [squares], and I think a lot of, especially the older classes that are here, support our seniors, especially as it’s our last home meet last time.”
For some seniors, the meet seemed to be emotionally charged, as well as a chance for them to make a lasting impact on their teams and in their respective events. Although the event wasn’t high-stakes, nor did it feature a wide range of schools, it still had the capability to showcase accumulated skill refinement over the season.
“I do have postseason coming up, district, state, and this is definitely my last home leave,” Livingston said. “So, it’s definitely a big thing for sure, and I think for all of us seniors […] it’s definitely nerve-wracking, because a lot of people are going to be here, parents as well.”
Although athletes would still be competing throughout the summer, the senior night meet is the last of the school year. CK consistently occupied first place in numerous Women’s field events, with Gracie Griffin placing first in both shot put and discus. At the same time, its Men’s division tended to place higher in vaulting and jumping categories.
“I feel most of my friends, also seniors, are moving on to the next stage of life,” senior javelin thrower and sprinter Ezra Ganih said. “ So we’re just making this as big a thing as we can. Some of us have aspirations to make leaps, […] but other than that, it should be a nice occasion.”
Gaulden highlighted that CK’s sprint and relay teams moved up in the state rankings, and throughout the day, several players set personal bests. He believes that the season was opportunistic, and alongside other coaches, wishes his ever-advancing players the best.
“I want [seniors] to continue to be humble, continue to be great people, a part of something that has commitment, teamwork, and accountability,” Gaulden said. “[I want them to] take what we taught them here and make that a part of their life.”
