The last time Oak Park River Forest High School boy’s track team won state was in 1987. This year, the team hopes to turn the tide.
A victory is within reach, according to current runners and coaches. With the track season underway, both athletes and coaches have their sights set on winning the state tournament in fewer than three months. “We’ve got a strong team,” said Tim Hasso, boys head track coach and testing center supervisor. “I think we’ll be there until the very end.”
Students on the team agreed. “We have heavy hitters, and we have a thrower who is number one in state,” said Justin Robinson, junior and long jumper.
That shot put thrower is senior Kaden Garland, who threw a 12-pound ball 61 feet at the Oak Park River Forest Boys Triangular meet on Feb. 8–a personal best.
Other notable performances took place on Feb. 24 at the first invitational meet of the season at Proviso West High School, in which the team placed second out of 14 schools. Multiple athletes broke personal records, including junior Lukas Brauc, who came in first in pole vault with a 15-foot 8-inch vault, six inches higher than second place.
The team got third place for each division, with freshmen and sophomores scoring 73 and varsity scoring 93.5.
With the team placing top three it’s clear to see that they have been working hard. And it isn’t always easy preparing physically, let alone mentally. Junior long jumper and runner Tyler Washington, said, “This season my performance has been up to par, but I know I can do even better. The first meet I didn’t participate in because of a hamstring injury. So keeping up with my health is a big contributor to my performance. So I make sure to stay consistent with stretch exercises and improvements on my diet.”
According to Robinson, the coach and captain continue to motivate the players during the season by reminding them of their goals and affirming what they can achieve.
“My favorite part of the season are the meets,” he said. “Coming together as a community and a team is great because we support each other on our successes and accolades.”