Carlos Aragon also contributed to the article
After coming back from last year’s season, Malden High’s Indoor Track team is eager and ready to begin their season with a strong start. The team held a meet on Wednesday, December 15th at the Salemwood School where they went against Medford. Despite the girls team losing, the boys team was able to beat Medford.
Senior captain Marcos Ruiz feels that after coming back from the pandemic, he sees that “all of the highs were tied with the lows.” Although the team got off on a rocky start, Ruiz is still “proud of the entire team” because reflecting back on the COVID-19 season, he believes that they were able to “come back to regularity” and they will “have a good season regardless.”
Ruiz personally felt that he did well and was glad that they won because it “was a nice way to see our season start.” He believes that “a lot of the things we need to fix are not personal or running wise,” rather it is “simply just working on setting things up,” as well as the “mental battle of being able to stay strong” even when the other team comes in.
Coach Marc Ferrara believed that the meet ultimately went well. However like any team, “we need to work on to ensure we perform at our best each and every time.” He added that he looks forward to “seeing the athletes grow” and “develop in their specific event.” Ferrara wants to especially “develop as a team” and improve each day as it is “important to understand your athletes and know their limitations.”
Senior Aiden Thompson, who participated in the shot put, sees this season as one of “new opportunities… and a whole new team with a lot of promise.” Thompson felt that though he could have performed better, overall as a team they were able to collectively show everyone their potential.
Sophomore Sami Judy expressed that the meet had both its highs and lows. One being that the team needs to be more organized in terms of the placement of athletes in different events. Judy hopes that in upcoming meets, she would be able to beat her score each time.
Freshman Gordon Zeng participated in the two mile run and he explained that he felt nervous “as it was my very first track season.” “Though, I made it through my event, especially with help from the supportive upperclassmen,” he said.
Senior captain Leslie Rodriguez described how it was her first time running the 600-meter race. “I was surprised to see my time improve by more than 30 seconds.” Despite being nervous from the scene of new athletes, Rodriguez is “proud of them and they all did well.”
She stressed that as a captain, she hopes to “support anyone that needs help” because Rodriguez recognizes that “it is not an easy sport.” It could be “finding ways to manage their time” or if “someone needs help with their event,” Rodriguez expressed that she would like to be there for her teammates.
With many more meets coming up in the season, there is much anticipation for the track team to show off their skills.
Runner Nicholas Wong running the mile. Photo by Carlos Aragon 
Jelani Garret performing the high jump. Photo by Carlos Aragon
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