On Saturday, February 18, Rosary and Servite Track competed in the Eagle Invitational at Santa Margerita High School. With this being the first meet, each athlete worked hard, and performed to the best of their ability to start off the season on a positive note. Most athletes have been training since the beginning of the school year in order to build a competitive and strong team. 

Coach Brandon Thomas is the head coach for both the Servite and Rosary Track teams. Coach Thomas is going into his second season coaching the Rosary Track team and shared his thoughts going into this season, “I feel great. I think the teams worked really, really hard and the results of the first meet were definitely proof of all the hard work we’ve put in going into this year. I think we should be competitive this season. If everyone is healthy, I think we will have a strong finish.”

The varsity girls 4 x 100m team set the tone for their first race by placing first place in the meet. The girls ran a 48.78 executing each baton toss with precision. Jada Faison ‘26 was the only freshman to run in the 4 x 100m alongside two seniors and one junior. Jada shared, “I was very nervous especially since I have not been training as long as everyone else, as I was in soccer during the winter season. Frankie McGuire ‘23 comforted me after the race was over to make sure all my nerves went away. After the first race, I started to calm down in order to continue performing well for my next event.”

Jada also competed in the long jump event. She jumped 17’10’,’ which is absolutely insane for someone who has barely trained for this specific event. Be sure to congratulate Jada if you see her at school, and wish her good luck for her next meet as well. 

There were also many personal bests made by multiple athletes including Milan Smith ‘24, who broke the school record for the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 15.91. Milan shared her excitement saying, “Breaking the school record made me feel very excited for the rest of my season and happy to see all the hard work I’ve put in over the past few months pay off. I feel like running the time I did as my first race of the season sets the bar high for the rest of the season.”

Servite senior, David Ramirez is a pole vaulter and shared his experience after the results of the invitational saying, “This helps my confidence because I know I am capable of jumping so much higher, and with hard work and determination, I am capable of being a Trinity League champion and placing well in CIF.”

Anthony Naticchioni ‘23 is a Servite long distance runner and shared his mindset going into the rest of the season saying, “After the invitational, my mindset has changed a lot knowing that I have a long way before CIF. After the race, my confidence has gone up and my mindset is to keep improving throughout the year.”

Overall, the track team’s very first invitational was a success. Their hard work and dedication will set the tone as they prepare for the rest of the season. Make sure to go out, support, and cheer on the team in all of their upcoming meets.