Athlete of the Week: Marcus Polk
On a rainy Saturday morning, senior Marcus Polk stretches inside the Cage, getting ready to run. His teammates have not arrived yet, but as one of the captains, Polk silently prepares for the varsity team’s workout.
Polk has always been a natural athlete. Growing up in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Polk played multiple sports, including football and baseball. In middle school, his father encouraged him to join the track team as well.
“I began track in middle school with my brother, during the winter and spring terms, because my dad put me into it. As time progressed, I grew to love it. I really loved the team dynamic, especially the team here at Exeter. I’ve grown to love learning how to improve my form by making small changes.”
Polk met success from the start but focused on his long-term development. “I remember freshman year I won the freshman meets, but that was not too important.”
At Exeter, he gave up football and baseball to dedicate more time to improving his running skills. As a result, he has made a huge strides and set multiple school records. “I really love track, and I worked hard in it. I was really honored to be chosen as a captain and varsity MVP. My team has won NEPSAC championships two years in a row. Also, I’ve broken the school record for 55 meters hurdles and the 60 meters and the 110 meter hurdles. These are all great memories with the team.”
Although Polk is one of the top sprinters in the New England region, his success did not come easily. In fact, he had to power through a period of time when progress was hard to achieve. “We always talk on the track team about how progress in track does not always correlate with how much effort you put in. A lot of the time you work really hard but reach a plateau and thus achieve the same time for six weeks in a row. I know that I’ve had the same 300 meter hurdle time for almost a year now, so that has been a big challenge of mine. But I know faster times will come with hard work,” Polk said.
He continued, “I think the team is really welcoming. We definitely know when to work and when to have fun. We also have a very talented team that is willing to help each other out whether it be in school or track. The positive attitude of the team really helps us do well.”
“Marcus is a great guy. He is like an older brother to a lot of us. He always makes sure he’s there for us, and he’s therefore guidance. He really helps keep the dynamic up when everyone is having a bad day; he brings the mood up."
During those tough times, his close teammates and coaches were sources of motivation for Polk. “Coach Toyin and Coder have helped me a lot. And kids that I run with like Mason, Talla, Vince, Henry—they all push me to work harder than ever. It’s always positive to have someone to push you in a workout when you are already exhausted,” he said.
His teammates said that Polk is the welcoming and the hardworking member of the Exeter team. “The track dynamics are amazing,” upper Vincent Vaughns said. “Marcus is a great guy. He is like an older brother to a lot of us. He always makes sure he’s there for us, and he’s therefore guidance. He really helps keep the dynamic up when everyone is having a bad day; he brings the mood up. He is also a very hard worker.”
“He won’t let us give up. If we are running a 400, he will cheer you on the whole way. He really brings out the best in all of us, and it is just great to run 4 by 2 and 4 by 4 with Marcus because I know that when he finishes his race he has given all he has and helps out the whole team and the relay. He also has a nice flat top,” Vaughns added.
Senior Henry Connolly shared the same sentiments. “Marcus is the only hurdler left from last year’s team—the Reign of Terror—because we lost Luke and Sacharja. We definitely have a close relationship. I think he is a little bit more serious and focused. When it is squad time, things get a little crazy, but when we are doing hurdle drills, and Coach Toyin is there with a stopwatch, he goes over and talks to her, but you know that he is extremely focused about shedding milliseconds. What’s worth noting about Marcus is that he takes part in that squad and it seems exclusive, but when he sees somebody doing something wrong, he is not afraid to help out.”
Physical education instructor Toyin Augustus-Ikwuakor, who has coached Polk for the past three years, strongly believes that Polk has grown into a leader and not just a talented athlete. “I think people are drawn to him, because of his really great energy. When people do come around, he really helps people feel welcomed and cared about, so it is really nurturing, even just thinking about gender roles and things like that. He is an example to other males about being a kind man. His biggest contribution to the team is that he brings the team together and that is exactly what we need from a captain. He sets a great example by working hard and having fun.”
Polk, despite already having an illustrious career, has a lot more to achieve. “I’m looking forward to him stepping up his game a little more. There are a lot of really exciting things that we are looking forward to this year. We want to work toward winning NEPSAC again. And he has a couple goals in mind, and I have goals of my own for him. And I’d like to see him develop more than what he may be thinking because he has the potential. So I expect that he will be motivated to do that, but I am definitely going to be pushing him to be a better athlete all the time,” Augustus-Ikwuakor said.