The competition, the thrill of the run, and the social experiences are all reasons track members enjoy their sport.

Track newcomer Aliza Ford, ?07, and track veteran Michelle Nachtigall, ?04, have experienced a lot in track.

“I’ve been in track for 8 years,” Michelle Nachtigall, ’04, said. “I put a lot of time and effort into it. Its something I enjoy doing.

Track had a meet in Mendota against Fowler and Mendota on March 17 and an invitational on March 20 called the “Selma Relays.

“Track is really a lot of fun,” Ford said. “I like going to the meets and cheering on my friends. It’s a good feeling to pass someone on the track.”

Nachtigall agrees track has many good qualities.

“My favorite part about it is building relationships and getting to know the other teams,” Nachtigall said. “Id love for more people to participate in it.”

In the Selma relays that 15 schools participated in, Ford and Nachtigall won second in the 300meter hurdles on March 20.

“Michelle is like my role model on the team,” Ford said. “We help each other out and push each other to do better.”

Not all track experiences have been enjoyable, however.

“My most embarrassing moment was last year when I was at the 100meter hurdles and my boyfriend at the time was there,” Nachtigall said. “I fell jumping over one of the hurdles in front of tons of people. It was the worst fall I’ve ever had; I think I rolled.”

Not all bad track memories include public embarrassment, but are equally unfavorable.

“I don’t enjoy some of the practices,” Ford said. “About once a week we have to run uphill at Woodward Park and I hate it.”

Sometimes a possibly bad experience can turn into good memories in track for students.

“Once when I was a freshman there was a girl from fowler who was an exchange student from Germany,” Nachtigall said. “At a meet once there was a German exchange student. her shoe in my way and I moved it not knowing it was her mark. She came over freaking out and yelling at me in German. I was really confused and apologized. We are friends now and I still have her phone number in my shoe.”

In the Mendota track meet Jaclyn Blackwell, ’07, received first place in the one-mile race, creating a new school record of six minutes, thirty-seven seconds on March 24.

“I enjoy track a lot,” Blackwell said. “It’s an exciting experience. I’ve always liked running and track gives me that opportunity.”

For more information on future track events, contact Ericlee Gilmore, track captain at 297-9464, ext. 140.