In the 2007 spring season, 48 young people and three new coaches stepped into the red oval and ventured to become RGNS’s biggest and best track team. For those who don’t know, track is more than just running. Along with sprints, relays, and long distances, high school track encompasses shot put, discus, long jump, high jump, and hurdles. Many of the members of the ’07 RGNS track team were new to their sports. Freshmen Emeka Ojuku, who throws shot put and discus, and Daniel Kirslis, a two-mile runner, had never participated in track before this year. Morgan Fambrough ’09, had never run hurdles before, but took very well to the event.

The one team RGNS had anxiety about facing was Asheville School, but RGNS triumphed over their girl’s team at a mid-season meet at Pisgah high school. This win was due partly to RGNS’s ability to put females in all events except the triple jump (a goal for next season: athletes in all events! Monique Williams ’08, an excellent sprinter, and Kay-Anne Spence’07, a star thrower, head up the list of magnificent young ladies who enrich our RGNS track team.

Kay-Anne Spence ’07, along with twelve other students comprise the largest group of throwers RGNS has ever had. Each member practices both shot put and discus, enabling them to capitalize on their strengths during tournaments. On May 3, the only home meet RGNS had this year, Rives Davidson ’07 made a personal best, a throw over 82 feet.

Numerous records were set this year as Albert Wilson ’09, broke the school’s long jump record two consecutive weeks in a row. Fielding Russell ’08 set records for the school in both the high hurdles and 300m hurdles. Monique Williams ’08 also set a new school record for the girls 100m, and Virginia Walton ’10 set a record in the two mile.

At this years regional competition, the RGNS combined teams came in second. The girls team was bumped from first place by a difference of seven points, a miniscule difference in track, by Asheville School. Despite the loss, every member ran, threw, and jumped with everything they had.

Numerous runners made personal bests in the conference meet. Their achievement is to be celebrated. Next season seems quite promising.