LM’s girls’ track and field team remains a force to be reckoned with as they reach the midway point in the 2026 season. Each spring, many track athletes trade the indoor environment for the outdoors. The sunshine and fresh air come hand in hand with intense training and practices while everyone prepares to compete in the meets. 

While it all seems very simple, the track process is anything but. Track and field is divided into four main event groups: sprinters, distance runners, jumpers, and throwers. During practices, athletes are divided accordingly in order to effectively spend their practice time developing the specific skills needed in their events. To be able to consistently run quickly over long distances, distance athletes practice to develop endurance and stay in shape. Distance runner Emma Richman ’28 describes that their practices include “some longer runs through the [local] neighborhood, some hill workouts, and some track workouts.” Distance events include the 800 meter, the 1600 meter, and the 3200 meter. On the other end of the spectrum, sprinters train to explosively run for a shorter period of time. Mari Ronquillo ’28 is a sprinter, and explains that her practices include “warming up, then…either [doing] a running workout or a sprinting workout.” The track athletes who participate in jumping events complete hurdle drills, practice their individual events, and some speed workouts. Throwers similarly work on form for their individual events and go into the weight room to get stronger.

There are multiple coaches for the team, who each contribute to developing the different skill sets necessary across the broad range of track events. Coach Sandra Hoopes directs the sprinters; Coach Marchelle Else works with the distance runners; Coach Derek Thomas runs the jumping and 800-meter athletes’ practice; and Coach Kaleena Gray trains the throwers in events such as shot put and discus. Ronquillo adds that everybody gets along at practices and that “we have a really fun team.” When practices are difficult, the companionship of teammates alleviates some of the distress. Richman concurs, as she describes the close relationships formed between distance runners at track resemble those of the sprinters. 

Despite the spring being a new season, a large portion of the athletes on the outdoor track and field team also participated in indoor track during the winter season. There, athletes had the opportunity to stay in shape for the upcoming spring season, as well as continuing to compete. New Balance Indoor Nationals took place in Boston March 12-15, with LM’s athletes finding success. A few representatives even went on to compete at Adidas Indoor National Championships on March 20 through 22. Viola Wilent ’27 set multiple LM records and earned two All-American honors. Paige Evans ’27 set a school record in the 800M at the New Balance competition, with relay teams also running some of the fastest times in program history. Facing tougher competition at Adidas Nationals later in the month, girls’ indoor track athletes did not falter. Instead, they rose to the challenge. Wilent earned her second All-American achievement by finishing fifth-place in the pentathlon, Kianna Else ’28 ran a season best time in the 60M, and freshman Lucy Roper, Anna Gilboy, Imogen Roper, and Fiona Pearsall all proved their place among the best athletes in the country. It was clear as the season shifted towards outdoor track that LM’s girls’ track and field athletes were starting from an advanced position.

On the other hand, some members of LM’s team enter without any track experience; however, the welcoming environment of the team quickly embraces each athlete and provides them with the necessary tools for success. Willa Moore ’27 joined the track team this season, eager to try something new. Over the past month, Moore says she has “learned so much in such a small amount of time.” Despite the separations and differing levels of experience within the team, girls’ track and field has a supportive culture and community. Everyone gets along with each other, cheering on other athletes during meets and  practices.

Meets are another opportunity for relationships to develop. With so many events to complete, track and field meets take multiple hours. When not actively warming up or competing, LM’s athletes pass the time together. While meets are not as frequent as other spring sports’ games, there are still usually two meets each week, one during the school week and the next over the weekend. A key difference is that in track meets, competition is between athletes from multiple schools. Doing well in an event earns an athlete points. Many girls on LM’s team consistently get excellent results and meets and thus gain points. Earning a certain amount of points is how athletes earn varsity status. 

Now the outdoor season is almost over. Girls’ track and field athletes trade long sleeves and gloves for tank tops and sunglasses as temperatures rise. Summer approaches, and yet no athlete waivers from the end goal. A few critical meets remain, and then qualifying LM athletes will compete at the Central League Championship meet during the first week in May. 

In order to achieve success in this tough sport, an athlete must demonstrate qualities such as resilience, discipline, and mental strength. On LM’s girls’ track and field team, there’s no shortage of girls who exemplify these traits. They aren’t just racing for the fastest time or leaping towards the furthest spot; they’re pushing their bodies and minds to achieve an extreme degree of execution. With such vigor comes success. And despite not reaching the finish line of the season quite yet, it’s clear that the athletes on LM’s team remain steadfast in the lead.