Norwin’s club Indoor Track team have been practicing hard for their upcoming meets in the rain, snow, or sleet. The track athletes have been all practicing together since the first week of December.
The track team has been running, and lifting all winter to prepare and become better than ever this season. The team has numerous coaches, but is mainly led by coach Timothy Van Horn, and coach Brian Fleckenstein. These two coach the distance and sprinters/jumpers but the throwers are coached by coach Jared Galloway. All the different groups on the team have been doing their respective work getting better in their events, and preparing.
“I believe the entire coaching staff has done a great job of providing athletes with opportunities to get better.” Coach Timothy Van Horn said. “After opportunities are presented, it is on the athletes to take it from there.”
Boys
The sprint/jump group coached by coach Van Horn are comprised up of short sprinters, long sprinters, jumpers, and hurdlers. This year for short sprints the team has a stacked line up including new track athlete senior Owen Christopher, as well as some veteran runners like seniors Nicholas Legnine and Carter Tobin. Even though this group is mostly dominated by seniors, Junior Eliezer Nicholas has consistently been getting faster as well.
Long sprinter group is no where near as big with sophomore Joseph Cramer being the only true long sprinter. The jumpers have lost a considerable amount of members over this last year, but sophomores Anthony Cook, and Evan Pfeifer have taken the torch up and are leading the jumps this year.
“Track is 60% physical and 40% mental to be fair. The body achieves what the mind believes.” Ryan Schiller said. “I think this team is truly the closest Norwin Track & Field has ever been. We are like a family and will go down fighting for each and every person no matter the situation.”
The hurdle team being one of Norwin’s best groups is led by Junior Ryan Schiller, sophomore Jeremiah Francis, and freshman Tyler Beck. The distance team coming off an amazing cross country season have numerous stud runners like Luke Simpson, and Enzo Jiancristoforo.
“The fact that my teammates and I are so close to each other in speed and time really motivate me to work harder.” Carter Tobin said. “Even the other day, I look over and see Jerry squating 315 and it motivated me to finish my set.”
On Saturday 27 the boys competed in the first meet of the year at Edinboro College. To start off the day both Norwin runners in the 60m dash were able to make finals in the event and Nicholas Legnine achieved a new personal best of 7.30 seconds.
In the 60m hurdles Jeremiah Francis took the lead for the boys with a time of 8.87 seconds, getting himself 4th place. In the 200m senior Carter Tobin got a personal record with a time of 23.59 seconds.
Luke Simpson was the only Norwin boy to win an event on Saturday winning the 800m race with a blazing time of 2 minutes flat.
“We all push each other to be the best and that what makes us a family.” Schiller said. “As a sports family, we understand that the true meaning of winning goes beyond the score, it lies in the connections we make and the memories we create together.”
Runners of the 3000m are a self selecting group of people, and one of those people is Junior Thomas Gaydos who ran a time of 9:18 getting himself 5th place.
Girls
The 23/24 Lady Knights Track Team is looking better than ever going into their winter season. The team is comprised up of the same groups as the boys, and is just as stacked with star athletes.
The short and long sprint groups are some of the strongest units on the team with runners like Melani Schmidt, Autumn Stoken, and upcoming runners Alex Oestreich, and Lydia Breauchy.
“Getting up everyday giving 100% and being obsessed with the sport makes me so successful in my events.” Melani Schmidt said. “After coming off an injury and not being able to compete I’ve been more motivated than ever.”
The girls hurdles are incredibly strong with Brandi Brozeski, and Casey Colcombe leading the way. Brozeski also is one of the team’s main jumpers along with Natalie Aquilio. The distance squad bringing their star runners like Annie Czajkowski who just finished a successful cross country season.
The girls had their first meet on January 27, where they preformed at an unprecedented level, and broke some records. Melani Schmidt was the teams record breaker, and ran a new personal best and school best of 25.92 in the 200m. The previous record was also held by her.
“No one is ever competing alone. They all know we have their back.” Coach Timothy Van Horn said. “When you know everyone is behind you, it is easier to go out and give it your all.”
The girls team also had some other first place finishes really showing their dominance. One finish was Annie Czajkowski in the mile winning with a blistering time of 5:17. Another of the finishes was the girls distance medley relay who also took first.
“I love the team and each and every person means a lot to me. The practices are always fun and I look forward to it everyday.” Melani Schmidt said. “The team is family. I will be so upset when it’s time to graduate.”
Championship
On Saturday 27th of February both the boys and girls track teams had a great showing at the TSTCA championship meet. The boys had multiple medal winners like juniors Ryan Schiller, and Luke Simpson who both took 4th place in their respective events. Also all of the boys relay teams took home medals as well. The girls team also had a great showing with many top finishes. One runner that had a great day was Junior Melani Schmidt who took 3rd in the 200m and was on the DMR who also got 3rd place. Also the girls senior Brandi Brozeski while not medaling at the meet has a qualifying distance for for triple jump at states. She is the only Norwin athlete that is headed to states on the 24th of Feb.
To stay up to date with the results make sure to check in on Norwin’s Track and Field website.
