A truly supportive track record: Meet the Valparaiso girls T&F team
VALPARAISO, Ind. — High school track and field is now underway and the Valparaiso (VHS) Girls Track & Field team is looking forward to another strong season following one in which they swept their Conference, Sectional, and Regional titles. VHS Girls Track has a rich history and continues to excel. They have 11 Conference, 25 Sectional, and five Regional titles. The 2006 team was State Overall Runner-Up and individual members in 2017 were the State runner-up in the pole vault and the 1600m. In the last 10 years, VHS has had four 4×800 medaling relays, including the state champion 4×800 relay team in 2022. The 4×400 relay team has medaled in back to back seasons,
At home over the past four seasons the ladies have broken the 100, 200, 400, 800, 4×800, 4×400, and 4×100 school records as well as tying the High Jump record.
The team is deservedly proud of these statistical highlights and is striving to repeat and improve, but in corresponding with head coach Mike Walker and several of the over 100 team members it is apparent that a successful season is measured by more than the number of medals, records or titles.
Head Coach Mike Walker: 鈥淲hat is most important to me is that they have a great experience, learn to work hard through adversity, and connect with one another. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge our success being really nice, but beyond that, I鈥檓 most happy when they can come back and tell me what a great time they had participating in track whether they were a number 1 runner or someone who ran for fun to get better.鈥�
Freshman Braelyn Nelson (400m, Long Jump, Hurdles): 鈥淵ou have to be focused and willing to work hard. This will lead you to be the best you. All of the girls are so nice and willing to help. Coach Walker is also a great coach and he has some really great drills that I feel have helped me improve.鈥�
Sophomore Bri Fincannon (100m, 200m, 4x100m & 4x400m relays): 鈥淚 think it is so important to have a good team and a good team culture in order to feel like you are a part of a team. VHS track does win some things which is a plus, but hearing your team cheer you on and be proud of you for what you have accomplished will always be something that I have loved about this team.鈥�
Junior Ani Gilliana (800m, 1600m, 4x800m & 4x400m relays): 鈥淭hroughout my three years on this track team, I have seen multiple young women work hard for what they want and tackle their goals. I would say that is for sure my favorite thing about being on the VHS track and field team.鈥�
Junior Heidi Wendorf (Shot Put & Discus): 鈥淢y favorite part about the team is the post-meet sing-a-longs on the bus ride home.鈥�
Senior Elizabeth Fields (100m, 4x100m relay): 鈥淲e have awesome coaches that care about every single athlete and go the extra mile to help everyone see improvement. The girls have also formed such a positive community in this sport. It’s been a highlight of my high school experience to be on a team where everyone cheers each other on and celebrates each other’s successes.鈥�
Senior Becca Cavanaugh (400m, 4x400m relay): 鈥淢y favorite thing about being on the VHS track and field team is the community. Even though there are over 100 girls on the team, I feel like I have time to get to know everyone and it is fun to have this group of girls to hang out with every day.鈥�
Senior Jorie Irving (400m, 4x400m relay): 鈥淚n the 400, one of the biggest challenges is mindset鈥he best way for me to manage this challenge has been to pick up my teammates. When I see they are struggling, giving them a positive boost also gives me a positive boost. It helps them and their mindset and it helps mine to focus on something other than myself. The culture of this team is my favorite part. We lift each other up, through the PRs and through the bad races.鈥�
Senior Angela Coulopoulos (800m, 4x800m, mile): 鈥淏eing surrounded by a bunch of strong, motivated, and determined girls is uplifting and empowering, and they make it easy to have a good time doing something that isn鈥檛 always the most fun.鈥�
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.