WOODBURY — Meet after meet, practice after practice, every race and every workout got us one step closer to nationals.

Our first sprint medley relay (SMR) was at Wesleyan University in Middletown. The SMR is a relay with four athletes: one runs 200 meters, another runs 200 meters, the third runs 400 meters, and the last runs 800 meters. 

That day, our SMR ran 4:25:35, breaking the school record, but more importantly we were only 3 seconds away from qualifying for nationals. Every practice we would work towards that qualifying time: 4:21:00.

A little less than a month later, Ellie McDonald, Sophia Gargulio, Gianna Perugini, and I went up to New York to compete at the Armory. 

On the last stretch of the race I sprinted across the line, hoping that we had qualified, and as I looked up at the screen, still breathing heavily, I saw our time: 4:17:29.

We were going to nationals.

Sophia, my older sister, recalls the moment as one of her favorites.

“My best memory from this season was running at the armory and qualifying for nationals. That was a big goal that I have had for a while,” says Garguilo.

Approaching states as the top seed, every team had one goal in mind: beating Nonnewaug. At the Class M state championship, every person on our SMR had competed in separate events prior to our race, and while none of us were fully rested, we ended up winning that event. 

Girls indoor track coach Arleigh Duff reflects on this moment as one of his most notable.     

“One of my favorite moments was when our SMR won the state championship,” Duff says.

Following the state championship, the State Open proved to be a bit more of a challenge. With emotions running high and nerves at their most sensitive, one fatal slip disqualified us from the competition.

Perugini, my freshman teammate, shares her thoughts on the DQ.

“It was disappointing, but honestly I feel like it gave us motivation going into nationals,” Perugini said. 

At New Balance Indoor Track Nationals in Boston on March 14, our SMR didn’t run until 9 at night, and after a long day of anticipation we were ready.

“Even though our race was so late, I don’t think it affected our performance,” said Garguilo. “In the end, our time was good.”

That race we beat our PR, running 4:16:78.

Despite the slight misstep at the State Open, we were able to secure a successful season.

“I think the improvement came from being able to compete at such a high level,” said Duff. “It’s one thing being a track athlete, it’s another to learn and train to make nationals.”

As the outdoor season approaches, we can only begin to imagine what we can achieve.

“Our indoor season was good, but I can’t wait to see how far outdoor brings us,” Perugini says.

This is the opinion of Maddie Garguilo, a freshman reporter for the Chief Advocate and an All-State track athlete.