Coming back from League and CIF Division 2 titles, the UC High Varsity Track and Field Team is ready to start the new season stronger than ever in order to defend their titles. With many of the athletes working hard everyday in off-season practices, they are hoping for their hard work to pay off in these next few months.

   Last year Girls Track and Field had an incredible season, winning both League and the CIF San Diego Division 2 title. This was the team’s second League title in many years. According to Junior Kilee Horner, “Last year was a really great for the team and me, winning CIF and having the banner up in the track room motivates me everyday for my workout.” “Some of our key athletes were Katrina Wright and Natalie Perez-Hall,” she added.

   Junior Wesley Clarkson explained what happened with the Boys Team last year: “Last year didn’t really go our way. We didn’t win League but we still gained some really good experience and have worked really hard in the off-season for this coming year.” Senior Alessandro Bazan mentioned, “I am really hopeful for this year. We have some really good talent on the team such as Amir Siddiq and Harrison Hansen .”

   One of the standout athletes in the entire Track and Field program is Junior Katrina Wright. Last year, she won the San Diego CIF and State Championships for the 400-meter event. Wright explained, “I wasn’t really expecting anything to happen last year. I was just focusing on running my best but I was incredibly happy with how everything turned out. As for this year, Wright zeroed in on how she has been preparing: “I have been working non-stop since about summer. I have very big goals this year and my motto to myself overall is just to do my best.”

   Since last season, many athletes have been putting in extra work and training hard in the off-season. Every day, since school started, many students have been working out after school lifting weights in the track room, and running laps on the track. Junior Harrison Hansen explained, “Everyday we go after school and train. We work on the little things we need to improve on and put time in when other kids aren’t.” Bazan also mentioned, “The track room is really a home for us. We go there to train and to have fun with our teammates. I think it’s one of the reasons we have such good chemistry.”

   One of the biggest reasons the team is so successful is Head Coach John Hutsul. He has been coaching at UC High since it first opened its doors in 1981. According to Hansen, “He is the best coach I have ever had. He’s the reason why our program is so successful.” Wright also commented, “He cares about every kid we have. He knows all of us and puts so much time into helping us on and off the track.”

  With last season being a large success, the UC High Track and Field Team is ready and excited for the new season coming up. The girls are looking for their third consecutive League title and the boys are putting in their maximum effort to put a banner up for themselves.