The girls’ track team continues to work and improve more and more every day. With the start of the new season, the team has welcomed some outstanding new freshman competitors and a group of passionate seniors working towards their last high school track hoorah. 

Last year, the girls’ track team made it to state after winning conference and sectionals. They hope to do the same this year with more state placements and girls hoping to return to the bright blue track at Eastern Illinois University this May. 

Bill Takahashi coaches the girls, who said, “This team is special because we have talent and depth in every group, which is very rare.” Coach Takahashi works to improve this team one practice at a time, and his leadership motivates this team to be even better than they were last year. With all of this in the back of the mind of the team, the pre-season work has been non-stop, and the team has been working to achieve a goal that seems so close in their reach but yet so far at the same time. 

The weightlifting coach, Mrs. Strugala, works tirelessly with the girls in the weight room, creating the backbone of this team and what helps them succeed on the track. She said, “I feel that a lot of the girls from last year are extremely focused and dedicated, and many returning leaders are mentoring the new athletes. There’s a lot of new talent this year, and I think we’ll be a force to be reckoned with.” 

The passion that so many girls have on this team is what keeps this team moving forward and the ability to accomplish whatever they wish. Not only does this team have what it takes to go above and beyond on the track, but the sense of community and friendship that this team creates is unlike any other, and through that, not only do they have excellent coaches pushing them to their very best.