PHS Track

By Jadyn Benefiel

The Princeville High School (PHS) track season started in March and will finish towards the end of May. The athletes had their first indoor track meet on March 8 at Knox College and their first outdoor track meet on March 19 at Wethersfield. 

“The track team as a whole has already been hitting their personal best times from last year and are on track to do really well,” said sophomore track team member Carrie Gill. 

There are 13 runners on the girls track team and 27 on the boys. Many team members agree that they are a well bonded team that gets along really well. One athlete even said they “like to have lots of dance parties after meets and during practices.” 

“The team has continued to work hard. We had a really good thing started last year and they have continued with the work they put in. We are got off to a good start early in the season,” said head coach Jon Carruthers. 

Not only is the team improving as a whole, but many of the athletes are improving individually.

Sophomore distance runner Natalie Giffin said she has been “working on improving [her] time to hopefully qualify for state next year.” She adds, “I’ve already hit my personal record.” 

“I have gotten really close to three-stepping, which cuts time off,” said Gill. Three-stepping is a hurdle technique where a runner takes only three steps between each hurdle. 

Another track team member, sophomore Ashleigh Brawley, who does shotput and discus, said, “I understand the footwork better and I have a better form, and that makes it easier for me to throw farther.” 

The track team still has a few weeks to go before the sectional meets. We wish the team well on the rest of their meets!