As the track season winds down, senior girls and boys, Janell Murphy, Ahmir Fielder and Jaylen Ramsey on the MHS team are lacing up their spikes with a mix of determination and nostalgia. For these athletes, track isn’t just a sport, it has been a source of confidence, community, self-discipline and countless memories. As graduation creeps up, these athletes reflect on the challenges they’ve overcome, the friendships they have made, and the goals they’ve reached on and off the track.
This season has been one to remember for these MHS seniors. Beyond these races, this year was full of challenges, and each senior found a way to push through.
“My biggest challenge was my hamstring issues. It really took a toll on my mental because I thought I’d never recover.” Ramsey says. “I eventually did recover. I really had to learn to give myself breaks and rest in between meets and practice, which is hard to learn when you are so far in the season and doing pretty good.”
But for these seniors, the value of track goes far beyond competition. It’s been a classroom for these athletes, teaching lessons they’ll carry long after their high school track career. It has taught them more than just to compete, it has taught them to overcome challenges and learn new skills.
“Track has taught me a lot to be honest,” Senior sprinter Janel Murphy says. “I think it mostly taught me to always be prepared. Anything can change at like any single moment so staying prepared is a great thing the sport has taught me.”
As their final season comes to an end, these seniors aren’t just saying goodbye to the sport, they’re letting go of the moments, friendships, and routines that made track feel like home. It’s the little things that stuck with them the most, track was more than just a season, it became a family.
“ I’ll really miss the atmosphere and the coaches.” Fielder says. “My coaches and teammates here have really shaped my love for track. They really just push me to do better, not even just as an athlete but as a person.”
Ramsey agrees, leaving behind his high school track family with a mix of pride and emotion.
“It’s really just crazy to think it’s all coming to an end,” Ramsey says. “We’ve been through so much together as a team, the early morning practices and tough workouts you know, through all of it they were there pushing me and helping me see my potential. I’m definitely going to miss the team and memories we’ve created.”
Their hard work throughout the season definitely paid off, with several athletes advancing to regionals, and even state.
On the boys team, Ramsey qualified in both the 100-meter and long jump for state, Fielder qualifying for the 200-meter and together, advancing in the 4×100 relay along with sophomore Michael Hill and junior Demarco Easter.
Janel qualified for the 200-meter dash and as well as the 4×100 relay with senior Rosa Blevins, and sophomores Aminah Ander and Jurnee Pearson. Pearson had an impressive season on her own, advancing in the long jump with an outstanding jump of 18 ‘2 feet, 300-meter hurdles, 100-meter hurdles with a fellow teammate, freshman Jordyn Fort.
