We’ve all had a gym class before, and that means we’ve had to run as well. It’s a hurdle many people have had to leap over, whether they like it or not. Maybe somewhere written in stone it states that every gym class requires some sort of running exercise.

Anyways, for the hard-working students on the track and field team here at Imagine Prep, running is all they do for Mondays and Tuesdays from 4:30 to 5:30. Sounds like a lot of work, right? Well, they love to run and they have the determination to keep moving forward.

Tyler Corella, a senior at Imagine Prep, is experiencing her first year on the track and field team. She joined the team because she wanted to do something before her journey in high school ends. Corella has thoroughly enjoyed her time on the track team so far.

“I like being able to connect to people, and being able to get to know Mrs. Riveroll, and being on a team. She’s doing great so far and I’m looking forward to see how the rest of the year is going to go,” Corella said.

However, Corella doesn’t plan to continue her track experience in college after she graduates this May.

“It was a one time experience, and I have a lot of other things to focus on,” Corella said.

Junior Julie Hager is also a newbie to track and field. She enjoys the sport because she likes to run, which is her favorite part about track. 

Hager believes that the workouts are easy to do and that they do not help her to better herself at running. She knows that Mrs. Riveroll is capable to push them harder.

“She’s very encouraging, and she wants us to do our best, and whenever we’re not she tries to push us and encourages us to do better,” Hager said.

She plans on joining the track team her senior year, so she can be even better at running.

“I like running and being able to go out and run,” Hager said. “Not being stuck at home all of the time is nice.”

Cassandra Triolo is currently a sophomore at the Prep, and she’s never done track and field before, but she has always wanted to join a track team.

“Before this I was home schooled; so I never actually had the chance to join a track team, and actually my whole family has been on a track team, so I’ve always wanted to do it,” Triolo said.

While the team hasn’t been doing a lot yet, Triolo is still having fun, but she is worried about how her first track meet is going to go.

“When you actually get running, it’s really enjoyable.” Triolo said. “But, we haven’t actually been given certain events yet, like individual events, and our first track meet is coming up pretty fast, so maybe a little bit more time to work on certain individual events,”

Triolo talked about how she enjoys Mrs. Riveroll’s attitude during track practice, and she would love to be a part of the track and field team again as long as she can fit it into her schedule.

Rachel Jones is a senior at Imagine, and this her second year on the track team. She first joined the track team because of her mother.

“My mom did track when she was in high school, and my dad did as well, and my mom wanted me to try it, so I agreed to it,” Jones said.

Her favorite race to participate in is the 400 meter run.

“I’ve only done it three times, but it’s the race I’m best at, and I’ve beaten several girls, so it’s always a great thing to hear when you’ve beaten your time,” Jones said.

Jones thinks that the practices go better because Mrs. Riveroll is there to cheer her and the rest of the team on.

“She’s a fun person to be around, and just the different pointers she’ll give us to help with improving ourselves,” Jones said.

She is going to continue being an athlete for track and field. She has signed with Ottawa University, and she will be a part of their track and field team for the next four years of her college experience.

These talented girls have had outstanding experiences while being a part of the track and field team and, despite all of the running, they are having fun with it as well.