AGHS’s varsity track team met Righetti and Nipomo High at AGHS 3:30 p.m. on March 12. Before the start of the meet, players expressed their goals for track and appreciation for the sport. 

“I do long triple and sometimes high jump. When I was four or six, my dad made me do it. I kind of grew to like it. I am really glad my dad made me do it, I wouldn’t be in the place that I am [without his motivation],” AGHS student Joseph Terek (’29) said.

Terek, originally motivated by his father, is now motivated by his success and possible future in the sport. 

“I want to compete in college [for] football or track and hopefully get a scholarship,” Terek said. 

Many other athletes hope to earn scholarships to further their commitment to the sport and continue their sport in college. 

“[Track] teaches you team building skills and, really, just respect. You can lose to somebody, realize

they’re better than you, and just respect that,” Terek said. 

Members of Righetti and Nipomo High Schools also recognize character growth through the sport. 

John Snider, a junior at Righetti High School, was also influenced by his family to do track.

“I do shotput and discus. My brother was a thrower and told me to do it. I thought it would be fun,” Snider said.

Snider also appreciates his family’s influence for the sport and character growth he has achieved through track. 

“[Track]  has taught me hard work and persistence. Not every meet will go your way but another one always comes,” Snider said.  

Hard work, persistence, and team building are all aspects AGHS’s athletic director, Mike Wolstenholm hopes the kids learn as well.

“We want to provide a good season and experience, and continue enjoying our team’s success. We have a lot of returning athletes.” Wolstenholm said. “We talk about morals all the time. We talked about behavior being one of those components; our athletes are representing our school. We want them to take away the individual component, but also to do their best for their team,” 

Wolstenholm takes pride in the students’ physical success but also their character growth. 

“There’s a lot you can learn about yourself and how to work well with a team through track,” Wolstenholm said. 

The sentiment of succeeding personally and being there for your team is evident as track members care for hitting personal records, but also team building and learning to drop ego and respect others’ success.