The PHS Winter Track Team, Top Row, left to right: Coach Richardson, Jose Negrete, Coby Pardo, Alex Arce, Brian Enriquez, Kevin Calixto, Dev Patel, Brian Adomen, Max Ramirez, Angel Lora, Keeshawn Brown, Elijah Perez, Christopher Vega, Coach Matos. Top Middle (left to right): Amber Rutherford, Coach Pritchett, Ritesh Rana, Jason Hernandez, Maurisio Nazario, Lionel Medina, Joel Garcia, Mitchell Blancas, Darshak Rana, Akshay Nadiyahara, Neel Patel, Emmanuel Linares.
Bottom Middle (left to right): Felichia Richmond, Des’ree Robinson, Lishayra Torres, Ayana Simms, Nastasha Valdez, Ashley Perez, Maria Abarca, Giselle Martinez, Vanessa Garcia, Chantal Sanchez, Rogreka Clayton. Bottom (left to right): Katherine Rodriguez, Joan Pimentel, Stephanie Espinoza, Karen Correa, Sarai Mejia, Leslie Castro, Erika Candia, Markiah Holmes, Daniela Tlamintzi, Angelique Chavez.
By Alex Arce
The indoor track and field team shows great promise this winter season. PHS has many talented and experienced seniors who are motivated to win. The whole team seems ready to go all out and give it their all, to show what Passaic has to offer. The promise of success this winter is warranted by the great cross country season.
Seniors Maurisio Narzario and Katherine Rodriguez are coming off a fantastic cross country season. Both of them made First Team All-County. Katherine came in second and Maurisio came in fourth. Furthermore, Maurisio was the Liberty Division League Champion.
It is not easy to find success in this competitive division. However, Katherine is up to the task. To stay in top condition Katherine does not eat fast food or soda. She drinks lots of water, and works hard. “I always challenge myself, that means I even run practices with the boys team,” said Katherine. Her advice to other competitive runners is “Do not get intimidated by other runners who have been running for a longer time.” There is always a way to improve, she said, “As coach Matos always says, ‘Consistency is key.”
Maurisio Narzario shared his excitement for the upcoming season, by stating, “I am planning on breaking the school record for the 3200 meter. The record is currently 9:31 and was set by Curtis McNair. His plan for success is to do what his coaches say. “Mr. Matos is like a second dad to me,” he said, adding, “he showed me what I needed to improve on and motivated me throughout the workouts.” Maurisio advises all his classmates, “to work hard and always give it your all. When you want something, keep chasing the pavement, even when times get hard.”
There are other seniors on the track team whose 2014-2015 season will be their last of their high school career. For some, participating in sports at PHS has changed the way they think about success and how to achieve it. For others it changed the way they behave in school and in their personal lives.
Senior Ariel Pereyra joined sports for something to do after school, but it motivated him to get better grades and keep in shape for competition. He said, “Track changed my life, because I stopped acting up in class and I started attending classes all the time.”
Neel Patel agrees with Ariel, stating, “I’ve become more determined and motivated by joining track, not only on the field but in class as well.” He added, “The lessons learned on the field about competition will be carried with me for the rest of my life.”
Another reason to join track is to make and develop great friendships. Mitchell Blancas said, “Throughout my time in track I have made good friends, who have been there for me during every situation, even personally. We all support each other.”
Akshay Nadiyadhara, who has lived all around the world before settling in Passaic, has found a home on the track team. “The track team is a place where students help and support each other. I am proud to say that the team is like a part of my family,” said Akshay. He added, “Track is where I found my sanctuary and it will always be close to my heart.”
The Girls Track team is no different. Senior Leslie Castro said, “Track has made me a more focused and determined person on and off the field. I give 110 percent in everything I do.”
Stephanie Espinoza says that joining track has toughened her to the challenges of life. She said, “I have never endured so much in my whole life than I have in track during one season. I have learned to stick to my goals and dig deep, keeping my head up. I hope to use this lesson throughout my life.” Natasha Valdez seconded those sentiments, adding, “When I feel like giving up, I now push forward even harder, like at the end of a tough race. Track has taught me to keep going even when it gets tough.”
Track does become like a family. “Even though track is not an easy sport I have learned to never give up. It is my second family, whom I adore,” said Giselle Martinez.
The track team is a place to strive to be number one. Working together for a common goal and supporting each other in good times and bad is at the core of what makes track a great part of the PHS experience.
