track team battles adverse conditions due to covid, ends season with state qualifiers

By: Justin Zulu

​The Glenelg Track and Field team experienced a variety of feelings this season: cold, tired, and, at times, unmotivated. But there was never a doubt that the runners would end the season feeling anything but triumphant. 

In a season that saw multiple pauses due to COVID-19, Glenelg was able to persevere throughout the season, which culminated with multiple championship victories at state and regional meets.

“It was difficult to try and prepare for meets because we did not have a winter season last year,” said Coach Phillip Johnson. “Also, the facility that we were supposed to run out of did not open up. We weren’t allowed to run meets until January and we had a few outdoor meets that were last minute. Our motivation was suffering at times.”

But, according to Johnson, his team’s competitive nature and resilience far surpassed training in less than favorable conditions.

“Mental toughness increased and [our athletes] were extremely resilient in the sense that there are not many who would be willing to practice at a high level in the wintertime, outside, for two months,” Johnson said. 

It was this type of commitment that led to success, some personal bests, from many of the runners by the end of the season. 

Senior Tim Cherry won the state championship in the 800-meter and 1600-meter, junior Sarah Johnson, a regional champion, finished 2nd in the 300-meter, and senior Kaila Spence finished first in the 800-meter race at the regional championship.

“It’s been a great season and I'm just glad that I have been able to run with these guys and achieve success with them,” Cherry said.

When asked about anything that he wanted to say to the runners, Johnson offered the following message:

“I thank them for their dedication, and I thank them for giving me the opportunity to share the journey with them. They were always able to make the best of what we had and were happy with the process.”

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