Bang! The starting gun erupts and sound reverberates throughout the stadium as the athletes sprint into the distance with only the gold medal on their minds.

Ranging from discus to hurdles to the two-mile race, any hard working athlete can compete in something that they enjoy.

“I really enjoy being a team captain,” Michelle Nachtigall, ’04, said. ” Being able to help out other students and lead them to excel is always rewarding.”

Team captains, Nachtigall and Jesse Madsen, ’05, make it a point to encourage the team to work the hardest they can.

“I remember when I was really down after a race that I felt I did not do my best in,” Aliza Ford, ’07, said. “Nachtigall came up to me and totally encouraged me and made me feel better and helped me to focus on doing a better job next time.”

Coaching is a big part of team progress and the overall atmosphere of the team. Ericlee Gilmore, campus field coach, encourages his team and wants them to strive to be the best they can be.

“Out team did great this year considering the low number of our athletes,” Gilmore said. “Many records have been set this year and we have almost the whole team going to the Area meet.”

The Reedley Meet on April 30, went very well according to Mona Yazdanpanah, ’05. She broke her personal record and jumped 30 ft 9 in the triple jump and did really well in the 4x100M relay as well.

“I felt that this meet went very well,” Yazdanpanah said. “Our teammates pulled together and performed the very best of their ability. I hope that we continue to excel and perform to at our peak.”

Along with Yadanpanah, Nachtigall also excelled at the Reedley meet taking 5th in the 300M hurdles (49.24a); 6th 400M (1:02.33a); 6th 4x100M (53.47a); 6th 4x400M (4:27.31a)

“I was really pleased with the meet,” Nachtigall said. “I hope that our whole team can continue to compete well.”

Track and field will have their final area championship competition for all the athletes from the Sierra Leagues on May 7 in Corcoran. Teams are selected and qualified by certain times and records that the athletes try to attain all season.

“I am really excited for the meet,” Jennifer Vandenhoek, ’06, said. “I hope that we can all perform to our very best, and that lots of people will come and support us.”

Yazdanpanah, Ford, Ashley Davis, ’07, and Nachtigall, ’04, went on to set a school record at 53.01 at the Sierra League Meet.

For more information on track and field, visit Gilmore in the T-1, go online and read the Sports Briefs section of the announcements, or attend the Sierra/Sequoia championship meet at Coalinga High School on May 12.