The girls track team has officially cemented themselves into Merrillville Pirate history, winning the DAC title for the first time in 26 years. The girls also won the Sectional title, while shattering school records throughout the season.
So far, Sophomore Jordyn Fort has set school records in the 100m and 300m hurdles, while Junior Amity Lauzon set a record for the 3,200 and the 4×400 relay team — featuring Sophomore Megan Thomas, Seniors Lailah Wesby and Sophia Shittu, along with Fort.
Junior Sanye Williams explained how much the coaching staff contributes to the team’s success.
“Coffey, Drew, and Coach Gates have pushed this team to another level because they come to practices, and they show that they do care about everyone, even if there are some people on the team that show that they don’t want to be,” she said. “They still put forth the effort to still come and still do what they have to do, for the people that do care and that do wanna get better. And really also just pushing us at practice, making sure, we don’t, have to do the drills, have to do the workouts and stuff like that. So yeah, I really do appreciate them a lot.”
Fort, DAC champion expresses her appreciation for Head Coach Coffey, as well.
“I feel that Coach Coffey has helped us tremendously this season, physically and mentally,” she said. “He always pushes us to be better runners in practice or meets, but still makes sure to keep it fun.”
The team’s practices focused on speed, endurance, and mobility workouts, including difficult 150s and 300 workouts that helped prepare them for championship meets. Even outside of practice, athletes continued training on their own to perfect technique, improve form, and stay prepared for competition.
For hurdlers like Fort especially, success required more than just speed.
“I would say the most important thing in hurdles would be rhythm over speed. It doesn’t matter how fast you are. If you don’t have the right rhythm to go over each hurdle, you could easily clip it or fall.”
The dedication paid off in a huge way with Fort winning two individual DAC titles, along with one in the 4-by-400. Other winners include Saniya Lipscomb on the pole vault, Destine Ware in the High Jump, Lailah Wesby in the 400 meters and Erin Mukes in shot put.
The team competes in Regionals tonight, May 26th.
