MSMS Track and Field had a successful season and is preparing for a delayed state finals on May 7. After qualifying, Dylan Wiley, Maurice Hunter and Tanilya Clark are set to compete at the North State Championship.
The academic rigor MSMS doesn’t end at the classroom door; it extends to the athletics offered. The MSMS track team has had a season filled with personal records and team cohesion.
Senior Dylan Wiley, captain of the distance team, said leading the team taught him a lot about himself, both as a runner and leader.
“I’ve seen my times improve, and I’ve been able to help my teammates do the same,” Wiley said.
Wiley said the season was not without challenges.
“The main obstacle we had was coordinating our efforts,” Wiley said. “In regards to the beginning of the season, we had struggles: people being sick, having time to practice, getting a track to run at and understanding your roles at what events we should coordinate for our efforts.”
Reflecting on some key factors that contributed to the team’s performance, Wiley said it was a combination of collaboration and community that led to its success.
“I think we produce an amazing positive atmosphere, especially for beginners, but also those who would like to sharpen their edge and build off prior experiences” Wiley said. “We laugh; we dance; we celebrate every small victory because these are the moments that define us.”
Junior sprinter Cratin Quinnelly said team spirit and camaraderie pushed competitors all year.
“Anytime you are going to run [at a meet], you will find MSMS students on the side screaming your name and telling you, ‘You got this!’ I am extremely grateful for all of them.” Quinnelly said.
Quinnelly said he never thought he’d be competitive in track. One of the keys to his success this year was the help of junior sprinter Clark.
“Starting from no experience to now, I’ve dropped seconds off my 200-meter and 100-meter dashes and improved my long jump by 2 feet,” Quinnelly said. “[Clark] stepped up as a sort of student-coach to help us get prepared for the season as she has done track before. She is extremely talented and knows how to push us to be our best selves when we run.”
Clark, who captains the sprints team, said running in the rain and competing in the cold “tested my ability to balance my commitments and push through adversity.” She also said the absence of adequate practice facilities was a significant hurdle the team has had to overcome creatively.
“Despite these challenges, our focus has been on support and community, helping each other improve with every practice,” she said.
The narrative of this season has been as much about collective success as it has been about individual achievement.
“Our key to success has been our unity. We support each other unconditionally, and this has built a strong, inclusive team culture,” Wiley said.
