Track and field strides for success

On March 6, the Track and Field team kicked off their season at a Gabrielino scrimmage. On April 24, the school hosted its first track meet in five years against South Pasadena.

This year the team has had to face a few changes in coaching, including a new head track coach, José Márquez, and Coach Jerry Lawrence taking over for Coach Jeff Li, who took on a job at a different school, in shot put. Although Coach Lawrence has instructed shot put before, it is a new experience for both him and this year’s 20 shot putters.

“This is one of the most fun groups that I’ve worked with,” Coach Lawrence said. “I always enjoy working with these guys, because they’re always here and ready to go.”

The field teams have been doing well in their events this year. Currently, Senior Jake Ferntheil holds the league’s best mark at 46 feet 4 1/2 inches and Senior Gaby Chan’s personal record ranks in the top three girls’ marks in the league at 31 feet 9 1/2 inches.

“I just rely on practice,” Ferntheil said. “Coach says you don’t have to practice long, but you have to practice well.”
Each day the shot put team practices hard to prepare for their throws. They warm up, and the captains bring the team together for their work outs.

“It might seem like an easy sport compared to others in track; however, each of our throws takes years to master,” Chan said. “I wouldn’t change anything about how things are going. I believe that our team changes and grows naturally as the season goes on.”

Although everyone in shot put is highly responsible for their own improvement and personal bests, the older members try their best to guide the new people in the right direction. Coach Lawrence often urges teammates to watch each other in practice or at meets in order to learn from each other.

“Coach Jeff and Coach Lawrence are different in many ways,” Ferntheil said. “Coach Jeff was more relaxed and was willing to help you only if you wanted to improve yourself, but Coach Lawrence really wants to make sure everyone is working their hardest.”

Coach Chris Branson is still in charge of pole vaulting, with ten people in the group this year, which is doing well with a strong varsity team. Coach Kevin Tat instructs the triple jumpers and the high-jumpers.

“We’ve been focusing more on technique this year,” Junior Greta Xiong said. “So we’re more conscious on that in addition to sprinting and other training.”