Track and Field
St. Mary’s Jr. & S
r. high students sprint to join new track and field team
“New opportunities continue to open up for us,” says senior Veronika Kisiel who will be running for the new St. Mary’s track and field team. “I love to run. It keeps me in shape for soccer and gives me a chance to work hard to improve myself.”
Starting this spring, St. Mary’s will be supporting a new track and field team for 20 to 30 junior and senior high school students. Principal Michael Dudek, an alum of St. Mary’s, is excited the idea has become a reality. “Track and field is something I had hoped for when I was a student here. Fortunately for our students, all the pieces have come together to make a strong start this spring. We are very grateful for the support and cooperation that has been extended to St. Mary’s. Worcester Academy, which is just around the corner from our school, has generously offered us use of its track twice a week for practices. And the athletic director of the Worcester Public Schools has welcomed us at the city track and field program.” The St. Mary’s team will participate in 8 meets at Foley Stadium beginning April 16th.
Lia Moudios, a 7th grade student, says she is eager for the season to begin. “This will be my first time being on a track and field team. I don’t know yet what I will enjoy more, the sprinting or the long distance runs. It will be fun being on the team and experiencing something new.”
Twelfth grade student Pawel Chojnowski sees the new track and field team as an asset to the school’s athletic program. “I play soccer in the fall. Track and field gives me and my teammates a chance to stay in shape and to challenge ourselves in new ways. Right now I’m open to any of the track and field events. I’m looking forward to a new challenge.”
Beyond physical fitness, the new track and field team will provide students with other positive experiences. According to Principal Dudek, “Track and field allows students another outlet to push themselves, to set goals to strive toward and helps them discover more self-confidence.” The students will be coached by Ryan Prescott, a science and physical education teacher at the school who is excited to build up the new team. “It’s going to be a lot of fun working with the students determine which events they want to learn and helping them find personal success in each one.”