Athletes of the Week: Erin Ahern, Emy Li & Tise Okeremi

Senior Emy Li awaits the start, determined and ready to explode off the starting blocks. Hearing the signal, she leaps forward, one foot in front of the other, racing towards the first hurdle. With perfect timing and accuracy, she launches over the hurdle, having practiced this motion 100 times over at practices. Her loyal teammates cheer at top volume on the sides of the track, urging her on. Finding her rhythm, she leaps over each hurdle effortlessly, before flying past the finish line. She is greeted by her teammates, celebrating a new best time in the 55 meter hurdles. 

Li and seniors Erin Ahern and Tise Okeremi serve as this year’s Girls’ Varsity Winter Track and Field captains. The three of them, each specializing in different events in the sport, have helped bring the whole team together for another successful winter track season. Li is a seasoned sprinter, Ahern endures 10-mile runs as a long- and mid-distance runner and Okeremi leads the throwers. Through good leadership and valuable experiences, they have worked together to bring the team closer together and create a friendly and supportive atmosphere. 

Li began her track career early, finding her love for running during elementary school. “I honestly think my favorite part of elementary school was racing my friends during recess,” she said. “I started running track in spring of sixth grade when I joined my middle school's track team, and I've been doing it ever since!” 

Ahern had similar beginnings in the sport, starting in middle school as well. “I started running cross country and track at my old school and joined Exeter track my prep winter and spring,” she said.

However, the team’s attraction has always been the kinship. “I loved being a part of a ‘year-long’ sport so I could stay with my teammates, my friends.” 

Okeremi, on the other hand, was exposed to competitive track and field at an even younger age. “I started running track in Malaysia when I was in third grade. I did 100m, 200m, shot put and the 4 x 100 meter relay race. I had to stop track when I left Malaysia in fifth grade,” she recalled. Even with this break from track, Okeremi noted that she was excited to take up the sport again when she arrived at Exeter. 

All three captains were drawn to the sport because of its sense of community, and love being part of a team composed of different people with various talents. Okeremi described how she enjoys watching her teammates race at meets. “I love watching track meets. Competing is fun, but I like watching other people compete.” 

“Even if you don’t know someone else, it’s really easy to introduce yourself or cheer someone on,” Ahern added.

The captains’ eagerness to support their peers has contributed to team spirit. “After every meet, [Li] always congratulates me on my race,” prep Ophelia Bentley said.

The girls emphasized that being part of a team comes with traditions and inside jokes. “I love doing ‘bars’ at the beginning of track meets. I do a little rap to get everyone hyped up and then we cheer,” Okeremi said. 

In addition to this, Ahern talked about how certain subgroups of the team, such as the distance team, have their own traditions they enjoy. “I love blizzard runs with the distance team and Coach [Brandon] Newbould,” she said. 

These traditions are just some of the ways the captains look out for the team. “Erin always has a funny story to tell on a long run or a queue of catchy songs for our recoveries,” upper Helen Lieberman said. “Erin has also really helped the girls' distance team prioritize health. She has made girls more aware of getting enough nutrients and taking care of ourselves when sick.” 

Additionally, Li emphasized the importance of determination and grit, and how she, Ahern and Okeremi try to incorporate that into practices. “I love the process of training—I've learned about the importance of patience, perseverance, and hard work,” she said. The captains make sure to provide a close, friendly environment for the team to help those around them to persevere. 

“I'd definitely consider the track team to be my second family—no matter how stressed I am, running (and usually a lot of laughing and dancing) with my teammates, who are also some of my closest friends, always makes me feel at home,” Li said. 

Bentley agreed. “At practice, [Li] has an awesome attitude, always encouraging her teammates and, during hard workouts, cheering us on. Her team spirit is contagious and the team wouldn’t be the same without her,” she said.

Prep Shaela Iacobucci shared a similar admiration for Okeremi. “Tise is super reliable, she’s really great about helping people out whenever they need it.”

The captains find no trouble looking for things to be proud of this season. “I'm really proud of all the growth we've seen from the team this year,” she said. “People are always stepping up when they are needed and do an amazing job of encouraging each other on.” 

Okeremi noted that “everyone always brings energy.”

The girls explained how they saw the team come together, no matter the experience and skill level of its members. “I think we've created a close team culture (which has always been difficult with over 100 people on the team),” Li said. “I'm also really happy with the maturity and enthusiasm the people who are just starting out with track bring to the team already—it makes me all the more confident and excited about the direction the team is going in.” 

“We all run because we love the sport and our teammates, which comes through in caring ways rather than competitive ones,” Ahern added. 

The trio also expressed their appreciation of and gratitude for their fellow captains. Okeremi, in particular, stressed Ahern and Li’s reliability. “Emy and Erin were always on top of everything. It has been great working with them. I can tell that they prioritize track, which I appreciate. I know I could always rely on Erin and Emy,” she said. “They really helped take care of the team.” 

Ahern also praised her co-captains. “I admire Emy’s devotion and work ethic towards Track. She loves this team more than anything else, and you can see that through her leadership,” she said. “I love Tise’s enthusiasm for the team and her ability to engage everyone. She’s the best at making ‘bars.’”

“I definitely don't think the team would be the same without her!” Li added. 

From a supportive and motivational atmosphere to relentless positive energy, Okeremi, Li and Ahern have assisted the team in making this year’s track season one to remember.