This season has been about rebuilding for the Briar Woods 22-23 Winter Track and Field team. Working with a brand new coaching staff, the Indoor Track team has worked hard to have a smooth and successful season. 

Although the team has many skilled athletes, there have been challenges throughout the season. This team is smaller than usual, which gives them a disadvantage at meets.

 “Our indoor team is pretty new, the program hasn’t been going on for very long so it’s been cool getting more people out on the team,” said senior Zach Mitchell, who qualified for States in the 1600m and 3200m. 

Despite their size, this team has proven they are a force to be reckoned with. Three members of the team, Mitchell, junior Adonis Taylor, and freshman Elis Greenfield, hold indoor school records; Mitchell in the boys 1000m, 1600m, and 3200m, Taylor in the boys 300m, and Greenfield in the girls 1000m and 1600m. 

This season, the coaches have pushed runners to achieve their goals. “My expectations for my athletes were for them to try their best the entire season and have fun,” said head coach Maya Whitfield. 

When discussing her goals, Greenfield said “My goal was just to run as fast as I could, and I achieved it by working hard in practices and forming bonds with teammates, so I always have support on the sidelines.” Having an encouraging team is important for all athletes. 

“I love the camaraderie that the kids have and watching and cheering on all of the other kids. It doesn’t matter if your runner is in a different event; everybody cheers for everybody, which is really nice” said fan and parent Denise Angelo. 

At the outdoor meet on Jan. 11 at Independence High School, three runners placed first in their events: freshman Chad Luck in the 3200m, Greenfield in the 1000m, and freshman Tommy Christopher in the 300m. Additionally, 11 runners obtained personal records in their respective events, including the following freshmen: Max Angelo in the 55m and 500m, Sakina Zavery in the 500m, Christopher in the 300m, and Luck in the 3200m. 

The following juniors also acquired personal records: Adam Al-Aziz in the 55m, Jacob Tozer in the 500m, Devin Gutsmiedl in the 500m, Maliek Smith in the 55m, and Dhruv Musinipally in the 55m. The boys 4x400m relay, run by Taylor, Mitchell, Tozer, and Christopher, also achieved a PR. 

The most recent and last quad meet of the season was a success. Three team members qualified for Regionals: Taylor in the 500m, Christopher in the 500m, and Greenfield in the 1000m. 14 runners achieved personal records to include junior Govind Soman, sophomore Yohanna Alem, sophomore Melanie Acevedo, sophomore Jacob Yoon, freshman Natalie Calderazzi, freshman Ahyan Baqar, Taylor, Mitchell, Christopher, Greenfield, Al-Aziz, Gutsmiedl, Smith, and Musinipally. In addition, the girls 4x400m relay, run by Gutsmiedl, Acevedo, Alem, and Zavery, also obtained a PR. 

Now that regular season is over, runners who qualified will move on to Districts at Potomac Falls High School on Jan. 31. Be sure to come out and support your fellow peers and athletes. For more information about upcoming meets follow @briarwoodstrack on Instagram.