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Tracking strengths, fielding talents

Byline photo of Tiffany Zhu
Byline photo of Sam Li
by Tiffany Zhu and Sam Li
March 28, 2025
Junior Sophia Ou competes in the long jump event at the Saint Francis Invitational. She set a season record of 4.63 meters.
Junior Sophia Ou competes in the long jump event at the Saint Francis Invitational. She set a season record of 4.63 meters.
Kairui Sun
Sophomore Christine Deng crosses the finish line of the 100 meter dash in a closely contested finish. She finished with a time of 13.96 seconds.
Sophomore Christine Deng crosses the finish line of the 100 meter dash in a closely contested finish. She finished with a time of 13.96 seconds. (Kairui Sun)
Sophomore Samaara Patil strides through the 800 meters event, keeping pace with her opponent. Samaara set a personal best at the Saint Francis Invitational, running a 2:26.83.

With over 11 Harker track and field events, the varsity team gives athletes the freedom to explore different events and discover their strengths. Track and field is divided into three categories: running, jumping and throwing. At Harker, athletes compete in events like sprints, relays, long jump and discus. 

 

Sophomore Samaara Patil strides through the 800 meters event, keeping pace with her opponent. Samaara set a personal best at the Saint Francis Invitational, running a 2:26.83. (Kairui Sun)
Freshman Marlo Sanchez-Taporco winds up for a shot put throw during practice. While most people associate the more popular running events with track and field, field events such as discus, shot put and long jump provide athletes with other forms of competition.

Practicing daily at Prospect High School, team members of all levels can challenge themselves and try new events under the guidance of coaches. Often, athletes can discover unexpected talents along the way. 

Emily Mitnick practices her discus form. She set a new school record in the shot put event at the Firebird Relay meet on March 22. (Tiffany Zhu)

 

Freshman Marlo Sanchez-Taporco winds up for a shot put throw during practice. While most people associate the more popular running events with track and field, field events such as discus, shot put and long jump provide athletes with other forms of competition. (Tiffany Zhu)
Senior Rushil Jaiswal carries the baton during his leg of the 4×100 relay. While most track and field events are individual, relay draws on the teamwork aspect of athletics. (Kevin Zhang)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While most events are individual, relays provide a chance to compete as a team, building teamwork and developing friendships. With distances totaling from 400 to 1600 meters, every runner plays an essential role in arriving at the finish line.

 

Junior Timmy Chen sets up his starting block for the hurdles event. Even among the track events, hurdles challenges athletes to harness other strengths and skill sets.

The track and field team next competes at the Lynbrook Invitational on Mar. 29.

Junior Timmy Chen sets up his starting block for the hurdles event. Even among the track events, hurdles challenges athletes to harness other strengths and skill sets. (Kevin Zhang)
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