Rain or shine, the committed and diligent Cate track team always puts their best foot forward. Whether they started running before coming to Cate or picked it up for the first time this year, their discipline and motivation are, as Tim Weir said, “impressive.”
Track is a physically demanding sport, so it can be hard to stay motivated and even start at all. Every runner on the team not only has their own story but also their own unique way of staying motivated. These were a couple of responses from the athletes on the team when asked about their experience on the track team.
What got you into Track?
Sophie Blank ‘27: My mom was a competitive runner and I grew up watching her running daily. We didn't have a track at our school, but we would sprint the 400 meters on the dirt path around the baseball and soccer fields. My teacher would tell us to "run it as fast as humanly possible" which made us crack up every time.
Emerson Evans ‘26: I got into Track at Cate because I had done it in middle school with my friends and learned to really enjoy the competitive nature of it. Along with this, I liked that it was a sport where I was not against anyone but myself and I think that really pushed me as a person as well as an athlete. I love Cate track and field because the group is so much fun, and all of the coaches make everyone on the team feel really good about their abilities, and they have always supported us.
Jordan Ryan ‘26: I chose Track as my spring sport because Coach Weir wanted me to do it, and because I enjoy running more than I enjoy playing tennis.
How long have you been running for?
Seb Sutch ‘24: I've been running for two to three years. I started XC/track sophomore year but really started to take it seriously halfway through junior year.
Sophie Blank ‘27: I decided to join the Woodside Wildebeests, a local track club, in my 8th grade school year. Many of my friends from school were also on the team, so I thought I would give it a try. I loved competing and training with the team, and my coach motivated and pushed each and every one of us.
Jordan Ryan ‘26: I have been running since middle school, but not seriously until the summer before this year.
What motivates you?
Seb Sutch ‘24: Winning motivates me; I also hate losing, and the feeling that losing helps me through long (and boring) training blocks.
Sophie Blank ‘27: My teammates, Fran, Maddy, and Coco definitely all motivate me! At the County Championships, only Fran and I ran out of the four of us. Before each event (800 m and 1600 m), Fran and I would motivate each other and help each other calm our nerves. While I ran my events, I could hear Fran cheering so loud it made me push even harder. Fran is an incredible mentor and she gave me the biggest hug at the end of my races! Every day at practice I push myself to try to keep up with Fran and never can because she is so fast. My teammates, coaches and achieving better times motivates me.
What is your favorite memory of this season?
Seb Sutch ‘24: I like the relationship that I have with my coaches at Cate. I see them so often that I feel really comfortable around them, not only as an athlete (ie. we can plan training/practice together) but also as a person -- I feel that they really care for me individually.
Emerson Evans ‘26: My favorite memory from the season was the second track meet we had. A lot of the girls were done with their events and we were all just sitting down and talking. It was so nice to be able to connect with people in other grades who I had not talked to as much.
Jordan Ryan ‘26: My favorite thing about the sport is the community. I love being on the team with everyone.
These interviews show the passion that Cate sports instill in students. For example, though many athletes began track recently, they have improved dramatically from where they first started, and their love for the sport only grows. The community and relationships that are developed within this sport show the dynamic of a team sport at Cate. Even though many consider track an individual sport, the interviews show the bond between the teammates and coaches is as strong as more traditional team sports. Whether one started running long before Cate, or as a junior at Cate, seeing athletes’ stories such as Seb Sutch ‘24, who only took Track seriously mid-way through his junior year and ended up getting recruited by Yale, reflects the talent of the Cate track team. Cate Track and Field consists of ardent students ready to put one foot in front of another in order to make the team like no other. Wish these amazing runners the best of luck as they dash their way through CIFs!

Comments