Salisbury High School’s Varsity Track and Field team has been training since the beginning of March in preparation for its spring season.

As of now, the team has participated in meets against Northern Lehigh, Palmerton, Saucon Valley and Catasauqua high schools. The boys team has taken the win two times now at these meets.

The coaching staff is optimistic about the prospects for this year, seeing that these student athletes continue to perform better as the season progresses. Many are pr’ing, meaning they are beating their personal records, each meet.

With four meets left in the season, each athlete is working to meet their individual goals and continue to bring points for the team.

Knowing track and field is an individual sport, I interviewed a few of the athletes talking about what events they compete in, how the season is going for them so far and what their aspirations/goals are for the season.

SHS student athletes Brooke Bleam and twins Paige and Sydney Ziegenfus commented on their experience this year.

“I do pole vault, long jump and triple jump,” Bleam said. “I think it’s going pretty good.

“There has been progress from the first meet to the third, which is good for everyone. I want to clear 7 (feet) 5 (inches) for pole vault by the end of the season, 17 feet for long jump and 32 feet for triple jump. I want the girls to win a meet ... that might happen today.”

“I do the 300 hurdles,” Paige Ziegenfus said.

“I think the season’s going pretty good, but I can do better. I really want to get second place in the 300 hurdles and try another event.”

“I participate in the 100 meter dash and the long jump,” Sydney Ziegenfus said.

“The season’s going really good. It’s a lot of work but I think I’m doing good. I want to beat my distance for long jump and my time for the 100 meter dash.”

New to the track team, athletes Kendall Schaffer and Olivia Ringholm talk about their hopes for this season.

“I pole vault and do the 100 meter dash,” Schaffer said. “So far it’s going pretty good. There is a lot of improvement to be made but for my first season I am doing good. I want to get a better time in my 100 meter and I want to attempt the 200 meter dash. I would like to clear the opening height for pole vault.”

“I feel like I’m improving and it’s nice to have a season despite everything,” Ringholm said.

“I just do 100 meter hurdles. My goals are to improve my time and possibly get first or second place.”

Also new to the team, Sophia Ascani and Katherine Medina talk about their feelings toward this season and what they want to get out of it. Next, Tyson Utesch details his personal goals for this season and team prospects.

“The season is going great and better than expected,” Ascani said.

“In the beginning I ran the 100 and 200, but now I changed it to be the 200 and 400, which I seem to do better in and like a lot more. My goal is to get first place in my 400 and 30 seconds on/in my 200. I really want to work on my agility and arms through the rest of the season.”

“I do the 100 meter sprint and 100 hurdles ... undecided on whether I’m going to do the 200 meter sprint,” Medina said.

“This was my first meet but so far it’s a work in progress and looking for my mistakes to get better throughout the season. I don’t want to settle for less than what I’m worth. I also want to get stronger physically and mentally.”

Utesch competes in shot put, discus and pole vault.

“The first Palmerton meet I jumped very well,” Utesch said. “The Saucon and Catty (meet) was not exactly what I wanted but overall it’s still early in the season so I would say it’s going pretty well. As far as shot and disc, I care more about getting points for the team and less about my personal marks and I’ve been able to score every meet for the team, so I’m happy on that front. And my goals are to vault at least 12 feet this season or medal at states. And for my other events my goal is just to continue pr’ing.”

Lastly, Andrew Sable and Giovanni Hines reminisce over this being their last season and add their goals for their senior year.

“I do the 400, long jump, 4x4, 200. I think it’s going well,” Sable said.

“There are some ups and downs with people being injured but it’s going pretty good. Main goals for the season are to try to run a 56 in the 400 ... pretty ambitious, and try to get a long jump of at least 18 feet. That’s the way I’ll be able to compete with the top 10 people for both events. That’s how I look at it.”

“I do the 100, 200, 4x1 and long jump,” Hines added.

“The seasons are going pretty good. I’m undefeated right now in all my events. I want to qualify for districts. I want to break 11 (seconds) and get a 10.9 in the 100 meter dash. Honestly, due to COVID-19 it’s kind of tragic being a senior because we don’t get a prom, assembly, powderpuff or any school events or see anyone in school. It kinda sucks. This all went by really fast. I would like for our team to be big so we can have multiple heats and get more kids out here to learn about track and compete. Go Falcons!”

Be sure to come out and support Falcons track at one of their future home meets.

That’s all for this week; stay tuned for more student news!