Track Edges Out Deerfield and NMH
This week, the track team had a meet at the Northfield Mount Hermon School (NMH) against Deerfield Academy and NMH. Led by Coach Hilary Coder, the team won the overall meet against arguably two of the strongest teams in NEPSTA D1. Even though Exeter narrowly beat out its competition, the win was still an impressive feat. Also, the victory was a testament to the team’s hard work and determination that they have displayed throughout the season.
The athletes successfully supported each other throughout the meet, and worked selflessly in the team races. Lower Raj Das said that individual members performed strongly in almost all of the events.
“I can’t wait to see how every member of our team is going to step up the way we always do, but on the biggest stage.”
Although the team was able to come away from the meet with a win, they faced some challenges. Lower Grace Gray said that the team has struggled in “really working together as a team and being our best in everything we can do.”
Das said that the biggest struggle the team has had to overcome is “that a lot of people are pretty sick or injured right now.” Das added that although the team has had to work harder in the face of this challenge, it has not let it hinder its season.
He said that due to the absence of players, team members have stepped up and successfully taken on races and events that they had never tried before.
One of these injured players was senior Marvin Bennett, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. Das said that Bennett’s 100-meter dash stood out most in the meet.
He said, “Bennett ran an amazing race.” Das added that, “There were a lot of other amazing individual performances as well, and overall it was a great meet for the team.”
Das said that in addition to his hard work in his individual races, Bennett provided the team with encouragement. “He’s an amazing leader and role model, both when he’s stepping up to the blocks, but everywhere else because he’s always looking out for everyone on every corner of our 100+ member team,” Das said.
The team has left the week with important takeaways for the rest of the season. Although Das was not pleased by his individual performance this week, he learned that every competition can be a success, no matter the outcome, as long as the team stays in the right mindset.
Looking towards next week, the team will take this lesson with it in preparation to host Interschols on the Exeter track. This is the team’s biggest meet of the season, and its last competition before facing Phillips Academy Andover.
Das is looking forward to seeing the team take on this challenging meet, saying, “I can’t wait to see how every member of our team is going to step up the way we always do, but on the biggest stage.” Das added that he thought interschols were “going to be great.”
Gray is looking forward to the meet as well. She said, “I’m excited for everyone to work together really well and have a great race.”
Come out and support the track team during interschols this Saturday, May 20. Help give the Exeter athletes the home team advantage that they deserve!