Track and field is usually an individual sport. Athletes are trying to achieve their personal records each time out and have goals for themselves before each event. This is especially true this time of year as the regular season winds down and the postseason gets underway.

While most track athletes look internally this time of year, Jay Hereba directed all the praise outward after earning bronze in the boys' 400-meter dash with a time of 51.03 at last Friday's Allen Invitational.

"The kid that was running close to me in my heat was really talented and to his credit he pushed me to get my personal record," Hereba said. "I have to credit my teammates for pushing me at practice and to my coaches, who all do a fantastic job."

Another individual who has done a fantastic job over her high school track career is Haley Yost. The senior, who will be running track and cross country at Eastern Kentucky, earned a bronze medal for her time of 5:12.33 in the girls 1600-meter run, the best time she has ever had at this invitational, held at J. Birney Crum Stadium.

The senior said she is approaching it differently for her farewell tour.

"For me, I used to worry about other girls when racing," said Yost. "This year, I think I am focusing more on myself and that five-minute mile. This meet is showing that I can do this well. This year I am just focusing on myself and my goals because I don't want to compare myself to anyone else. I just want to run for me my senior year."

Yost is competing for herself, but she earned a second bronze medal last Friday with the help of some teammates. As a member of the 4x800 meter relay team, Yost, along with, Sabrina Mertz, Sarah Segan and Rachele Cerrone, finished third with a time of 9:48.83.

Not to be outdone, the boys 4x100 meter relay team, comprised of Austin Weiss, Cole Miller, Harry Hall and Cam Richardson, grabbed gold with a time of 43.51 that set a new school record for that event.

Richardson, who spoke for the excited group, said they weren't surprised with their performance.

"We definitely thought we could do this," he said. "We knew it was plausible coming in and now this just makes us excited for what is to come in the upcoming weeks."

Richardson also experienced some solo success as he finished second in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.61.

Senior Alex Partington had a nice showing at the invitational as he took home a shot put silver medal for his throw of 46-10, a new personal record for him. He also earned bronze for throwing 145-10 in discus.

"Individually, these meets are just practice," Partington said of the ASD Invitational and similar events. "I strive for my best every time out as these are just practices for the postseason."

The postseason that looks to be full of success for the Northwestern track team, that is, if the regular season is any indication.