The Jonathan Alder track program has been practicing since the start of March and has been battling through frigid to sweltering temperatures. From practicing straight after school or waking up at 6:00 am during spring break, the team has been out and working. The season finally started on Tuesday, and the team started the season very strong.

The team faced North Union in a dual meet. The girls won the meet, dominating North Union in nearly every event. The boys team fell to North Union by only 2 points.

Returning State Champion senior Aziza Ayoub had a strong performance on Tuesday. Ayoub placed first in the 400 m running a 58.7, 800 m running a 2:36, and anchoring the 4×800 running a 2:34. Ayoub commented on her 800m saying, “I didn’t go my hardest in the 800m, it was a dual meet. I just cruised to get the win.”

Junior Lexi Thorpe, also on the 4×800 team, won the 100m hurdles running a 19.96. Thorpe was also a part of the 4×400 team consisting of junior Emily Davis, sophomore Maddy Killian, and freshman Lily Schaefer.

Other standout performances on the girls’ side include, junior Sophie Thomas and senior Kirsten Beachy running a 14.16 and a 14.49 in the 100m, respectively. Sophomore Ashlyn McDaniel in 1600m, running a 6:04.

On the boys’ side, junior Jace Headings raced strong races as well. Headings placed 1st in the 800m, 2nd in the 1600m, and anchored the 4x400m and 4x800m teams to a 1st and 2nd place finish respectively. Also on the 4x400m team was senior Joey Holloway and sophomores Devin Damron and Clayton Boggs.

Senior Matt Seimer also had strong performances winning the High Jump and Long Jump. Freshman Daniel Heinig won the Shot Put by more than 4 feet.
Other standout performances on the boys side include, freshman Luke Malone running a 10:42, freshman Gavin Frick running a 10:56 each in the 3200m, and senior Joey Holloway winning the 200m.