Spring Track 2022

Gianni Perez

It is time for spring track! The season is off and running, no pun intended. I was able to speak to Ms. Romano, the team’s coach. We discussed the team’s key teammates, what makes a good leader, and more. Thank you to Ms. Romano for her time!

Who are your captains?

We do not designate captains. However, we have stand-out seniors that do an excellent job at being our team leaders: Eduardo Chali Ramos, Tasnim Eissa, Gerson Gonzalez Quevedo, Brandon Gul, Aleyna Koro, Saly Moubayed, Noe Pereira, and Jorge Urias.

Who are your returning star players?

Our returning star players include Tasnim Eissa, Leah Fedouchik, Samantha Giangarra, Andres Gomez, Gerson Gonzalez Quevedo, Brandon Gul, Saly Moubayed, Noe Pereira, Darwin Ruiz, Skyler Saric, Kaitlyn Shelley, and Jorge Urias.

What makes a good leader for your team?

A good leader leads by example. In track and field, there is work that must be done when nobody is watching. For example, a distance runner may go for a long run on the road away from practice. Furthermore, there are a lot of little things that truly matter—such as warming up and cooling down properly. It is important that all of our team leaders take these things seriously to encourage their other teammates.

What is the best thing about your sport and/or coaching it?

Without a doubt, it is forming connections with different students that I wouldn't normally have access to. Also, getting to know them outside of a school setting. I learn just as much from each of them as I hope they learn from me!

What makes your sport unique?

Success in track and field is determined by hard work. It is challenging and grueling in ways that other sports are not. It is not an innate skill. If you want to get better at this sport, you simply have to work hard. This sport takes a lot of guts, and you voluntarily put yourself in situations that are unbelievably challenging. However, every time you overcome one of those challenges, whether it be a tough practice, workout, or race, you get stronger and more resilient—both on and off the track. Track and field is unique, as it teaches you lessons way beyond the sport itself.

What are you and the team working on in practice?

Practices vary on a day-to-day basis and for different members of the team. There are 16 different events in track and field. Therefore, everybody trains differently based upon individual events. We have different, smaller groups including distance runners, sprinters, throwers, jumpers, and hurdlers. Some days we focus primarily on running, while other days we focus on the more technical events.

What expectations do you have for your players?

I have two primary expectations for my athletes—dedication and hard work. If you commit to this sport, or any sport in general, your coaches and teammates deserve your full commitment and effort.

What do you want your players to take away from the season?

I always tell my athletes that my goal is to coach them in life first and track second. With that being said, I hope they gain resilience, strength, and confidence to overcome difficult things in life.

Good luck to the track team this season!