The Fresno Christian Track and Field team sprints into their new season determined to win the league championship and break school records. The team is filled with promising athletes who are eager to start competing. Since last year, the 2025 team gained new freshmen and students who had never competed before.
The sport of Track and Field consists of running, jumping, and throwing with multiple schools competing at many different events at the same time. Athletes specialize in a few events and hone their skills to perform at their highest potential.
This year’s team is notably larger than years prior with at least 20 members – maybe more as winter sports wind down – helping FCS compete with bigger schools. Coach Shawn Young is excited for the prospects of the season.
“We have fantastic athletes who are very experienced,” Young said. “We also have some athletes, who are brand new and have never done it before, so we will see how that works out.”
Some key athletes to watch during the season are Blake Bay, ‘27, Laina Penland, ‘25, Ian Palsgaard, ‘25, Hailey Higton, ‘27, Giada Gilmore-Young, ‘27 and Kayla Castro, ’27. They all have the potential to set new school records this season and continue pushing their limits.
Practices are essential for maintaining peak physical condition. Coach Dorina Gilmore-Young, who has been coaching track at FCS for more than 20 years, describes the team’s dynamic practices.
“Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays we go to the Clovis West track and split off into our different events,” Gilmore-Young said. “On Wednesdays, we go to Woodward Park and run hills together, and on Fridays, we focus more on stretching and core work.”
Penland is the team captain and has competed in track all four years of high school and loves it. Penland is a versatile athlete who runs sprints, middle distance and relays. She pushes through the mental and physical challenges that come with training by focusing on her favorite parts of running.
“I like focusing on God while I run and appreciating the outdoors,” Penland said. “The community is very kind, we are all trying to improve and be the best version of ourselves, I think that is very beautiful.”
Penland has a good chance at breaking the 200-meter school record this season, besting her own 26.73 time, and the 400-meter record, which is currently 1:00.69. She is also part of the girls 4×400 team and hopes to break the current school record at 4:25.06.
The first meet of the season is on Feb. 28the Buchanan Distance Classic at Buchanan High School, make sure to go out and support your Eagles.
To read more about the Track and Field team visit The Feather’s athletics page.
To read more from The Feather visit PROMO: Boys volleyball strives for court dominion and PROMO: FC Boys’ Tennis team hopes for three-peat.
