The FWCD Varsity Track and Field team had a lot of success this year, as the boys team got runner up while the girls team placed 3rd. The team also recorded a total of 86 personal bests.
A big point of the season, particularly on the girls side, was how young the team was. There was a large group of freshmen who joined this year, so there was a focus on introducing them to upper school track and field. Head Coach Jared Connaughton emphasized how different the training is from middle school practices and that there is a stress on maturity and determination.
“The learning curve is pretty steep for underclassmen,” Connaughton said, “I thought that the upperclassmen did a good job with leadership and guiding us towards the expectations of what it was going to take to contest for a team championship.”
The boys team had five team captains: Price Carter ’26, William Runyon ’26, Cal Neubauer ’26, Nate Blan ’26, and Canaan Factor ’26. The girls captains were Francie Ratino ’27, Lainey Shackelford ’26, and Eleanor Holm ’26. Connaughton praised the coaches for their dedication, leadership, and versatility. Team captain, Neubauer, took time to thank all those who have been a part of his track career for helping shape him as both a better athlete and person.
“This team has meant so much to me,” Neubauer said, “The culture the coaches have established has been very influential in the way I approach many aspects of life.”
Shackelford said that she tries to keep a positive attitude and always be approachable and supportive. She knows how much of a difference this can make, especially for younger athletes.
“Track is an incredibly mental sport,” Shackelford said, “I loved trying to encourage younger athletes and help them understand that the mind is incredibly powerful and that when your body gives up, you can keep pushing yourself.”
The team suffered quite a few injuries during the season, but many of those injured athletes stayed strong and continued to support the team in any way they could. Athletes such as Neubauer and Kavita Garraway ’28 persevered and recovered in time to compete at SPC. Neubauer even went on to win in the 4×400 meter relay.
“It was a roller coaster of a season for me,” Neubauer said. “After I got my surgery in March, I was told that there was probably no way for me to compete and to be able to stand on that podium in my last race was really special.”
Connaughton applauded these athletes who gave everything they could come back and contribute. He said their dedication was a standout moment to him.
“I think that was one of the moments in my coaching career that I’m most proud of,” Connaughton said, “To see an athlete just go the extra mile and get back on their feet and to come back and contribute to the team was really amazing.”
Team Captain Factor thanked his coaches for being the foundation of the team. He said that they are the biggest strength of the team because they help push and support the team in everything they do.
“They care so deeply about each athlete and really contribute a lot to the training for each event,” Factor said.
SPC was very challenging for the track team because of the rain. Few events were able to be completed on Friday, so the majority of the meet took place on Saturday. This led to many athletes, such as Shackelford, having to run five events in one day. However, for captain, Holm, the rain helped to create one of her favorite memories of the season.
“My one specific moment was probably the 4×800 at SPC in the rain,” Holm said, “That was the coolest experience ever.”
SPC also brings lots of pressure for track athletes. With track being a mainly individual sport, there are lots of nerves and a large demand to do the absolute best you can. For many, this helps push athletes to reach their full potential and record a personal best.
“The walk from the call room to the lane on the track is always filled with butterflies,” Neubauer said. “The unanimous desire to prove oneself one last time for the season really brings out the best in athletes.”
Since all track athletes understand these nerves, the whole team does an amazing job in encouraging each other. Each meet, there is a steady stream of support coming to and from each team member.
“At every meet, people are staying to the end,” Holm said, “They’re always cheering everyone on from the two mile to the 100.”
Another amazing accomplishment for the team was how far certain athletes have come. Connaughton talked about Owen Bloemendal’s ’27 insane races, ranking him as one of the top in the state for both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. Also, Carter’s amazing improvement in the shot put from freshman year to now, his senior year where he won the bronze medal at SPC.
“He picked me up over his head and swung me around,” Connaughton said. “He was just so proud of himself.”
Team Captain Blan also commented on how amazing it is to see his teammates succeed. In a way, it feels like he is succeeding with them.
“Everyone was cheering each other on and being supportive,” Blan said, “specially when someone had an amazing race like Owen’s 10.29 100M.”
Overall, the track team has very high hopes for the future. It is a team built by motivation and talent. These two things will help lead the team to lots of success in the near future.
