Senior Spotlight: Track & Field

In recognition of our incredible spring senior athletes, GSB has been providing spotlights on the members of the Class of 2020. Our final edition focuses on the track and field programs, which features Teddy Lazar ’20, Sam Lowe ’20, Anna Mikula ’20 and Niels Rongen ‘20 with comments from Head Coach Steve Leo.

 

Thank you, Knights, for all you did during for Gill during your time here!

 

 

“Teddy Lazar is exactly what you want in a distance runner. He is very level-headed and intelligent. That is how he competed on the cross country course and on the track. His efforts were always steady and was a rock for GSB cross country and track. He will be missed, and I wish him all the best at Cornell.”

 

“Sam Lowe is arguably one of the most athletic kids at GSB. She has speed, agility, power, and determination. When she ran in meets, I knew I was going to get the most competitive effort from her. You could see that determination on the soccer field, and it translated on the track as well. I am very confident she will have a great career competing in soccer at the University of Scranton.”

 

“Anna Mikula is a versatile track athlete, having her biggest success in the javelin. She is one of the best female javelin throwers in the entire Non-Public B and has the talent to throw in college. She always had a smile on her face and worked hard in practice. She led by example and is a dream to coach with her positive attitude and willingness to be coached. I wish here best of luck at Penn State.”

 

“Niels Rongen ran all three seasons for four years. He is the model of what you would want in a runner. Always showed up and worked hard. Lead by example and we could always count on him in every race/meet. It has been a pleasure coaching Niels on and off the track. I wish him all the best in the future at Northeastern.”

 

Teddy Lazar

 

400, 800, 1600

 

What I love most about track is the camaraderie formed between my teammates and myself. The sport is scored mostly for individual times and for person bests, but as a team we grow together.

 

The greatest lesson I learned was to become good at something athletically, and the most important thing to do is be consistent.

 

My favorite memory from running is either when I broke 19 minutes in the 5k or when the cross country team surprised many people and took third place overall at the Prep B Championships this past season.

 

Sam Lowe

 

100, 100 Hurdles, 200, 400, Long Jump

 

I love competing in track because of the way it incorporates team and individual goals, this creates a team bond like no other sport.

 

The greatest lesson I have learned is how to really push myself to be my best and have the mental strength to keep going when my legs wanted to stop.

 

My favorite memory was when I was anchoring a 4 x 4 relay, and we were in last place until I passed a girl on the turn and PR'd that day.

 

Anna Mikula

 

100, 200, Javelin

 

Track and field is a sport like no other. Although we compete individually in our own events, the GSB track team is bonded like a second family. We train, travel, and have fun together. We are also very supportive of each other’s efforts and performances.

 

Competing as a GSB Knight, I learned to never be afraid of trying new things. Picking up a javelin for the first time freshman year was intimidating, but soon it became something I loved and cherished.

 

My favorite memories competing as a GSB Knight were when I had finally reached my goal of throwing over 100 feet in the javelin at the 2019 Skyland Conference Championships and then winning the 2019 Sectional Championship in the javelin.

 

Niels Rongen

 

800, 1600, 3200

 

I love competing in track because I am the only one responsible for how I race, which means that I can see the hard work that I put into training pay off when I race. The adrenaline rush that you get on the starting line is also pretty nice.

 

The greatest lesson that I learned while competing for Gill was a lesson that I learned in my freshman year, and it is to respect the people that you compete with. Track is a difficult sport and requires a lot of commitment to race at a high level, and you know that everyone that you race against has put in the work themselves, so showing good sportsmanship and being friendly is one of the best things that you can do.

 

My favorite memory of competing as a knight was during Prep B Championships during spring track of my junior year, when I broke four-minutes and 50 seconds in the mile, since it showed that my hard work and training paid off.