Chouaib Saidi also contributed to this article.
As the 2025 spring sports season comes to a close, so does another memorable season for the Girls’ and Boys’ Track and Field team. After months of dedication and personal victories, the team closed out a season that was not only successful but also meaningful.
Following a record-breaking indoor season and an overwhelming level of interest at the beginning of spring, team morale was high from the get-go, which set up a successful season. Junior distance runner Kail Boswell captured this, declaring earlier this season: “We’re going to have a great track season, and we’re going to do well in GBL.”
And this proved to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. The Boys’ team ended up placing 2nd overall in the Greater Boston League (GBL), and multiple athletes from an array of events made it to States.
Aside from awards and podium placements, Head Coach Meghan McCormick also emphasized the importance of preventing burnout, a common issue for dedicated athletes. “I was a pretty high-level high school runner and got a little burnt out in college, so one of the things I try to work on is making sure they’re having a lot of fun while also meeting their potential.”
One of the best things about track and field, compared to other high school sports, is the aspect of individual goal-setting.
These goals vary person by person, too. For Sean Cochran, a junior who had previously done cross country and indoor track, simply finding a comfortable pace takes precedence over competitive success. “When I finish a run, it feels like I could either have pushed harder or my legs are completely gone,” Cochran admitted. “I’ve had trouble finding my paces.”
As with any sport, the team faced challenges. Despite having an overwhelming amount of initial interest, the team has also faced the issue of students signing up who are unable to commit to everyday practices. “We have a really big team…we want to give kids opportunities, but we also need…to have a bit of a smaller squad. We have so much interest, but then we have kids where we have to say, ‘if you can’t be here regularly, you can’t be on the team,’” explained McCormick.
Even with track and field’s innate independent nature, many athletes find the supportive community as well as the personal growth that occurs to be the most appealing aspect of the sport, drawing in new participants and bringing old teammates back.
“It’s taught me about discipline and how to stick with something the entire time. The number of times I wanted to drop out of a race but stayed in has taught me to persevere,” Senior Distance Runner Sean Retotal shared.
Boswell commented on the importance of teamwork in curating success,“The people are the best part of track. As a community, we’ve got to build each other up so we can do well.”
Success has many definitions. While many sports are centered around the idea that success is determined by beating another athlete or team, track and field focuses on a balanced view of personal growth––one that emphasizes individual growth while still valuing collective unity and support. With the finish line behind them––and the future ahead––the team looks back on a season they can be truly proud of.
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