Under the scorching, humid sun, the sprinters complete their final 200m, while the distance runners wrap up their last 800m. The need for water transcends into a deep desire. A pressing necessity as everyone collapses, gasping for air. “Everybody cool down, four laps,” said Coach A, the head track coach, signaling that the grind never stops.
Track & field, a universal sport in schools worldwide, is shaped by unique experiences shared within each team. Piscataway high school’s girls track & field team has particularly fostered a vibrant community, united by a commitment to hard work and dedication, even on weekends, all striving for state titles and number ones.
All photos and text by Madison Morgan
Spikes: a runner essential. Whether prepping for a meet or grinding through workouts, these shoes are a necessity. Individually putting each spike in is a dreaded task, but their utility is undeniable.
Track lanes vary, for some come with eight lanes while others might only come with six. Luckily, Piscataway’s track only comes with six lanes. During the cool down laps, runners always tend to prefer lane 0.5 of course.
Perhaps enduring long runs alongside the distance group becomes more tolerable in the presence of such a peaceful landscape
Gazing at the track from this distance leaves us runners in awe of our abilities… the remarkable speed at which we cover such ground still amazes me.
“I don’t know why I put myself through this,” said Kierstin, a sprinter at Piscataway High School. Despite her daily declarations, her infectious smile betrays her true feelings. Track: the ultimate love-hate affair.
As the season winds down, track seems endless, Despite the dwindling amount of teammates left, the relentless pursuit never wavers. We push forward, always.
Another runner claims disdain for running yet laces up voluntarily even on rest days. How ironic.
Meet day arrives, the culmination of tears, struggles, and breathless battles. Suddenly, every ounce of effort feels justified as results begin to come to life.
