One of the overall biggest experiences I’ve had at East Islip High School thus far definitely had to be when I decided to join the EI Winter Track Team. Despite admittedly being slightly nervous to join at first, I decided to try something new, and quite frankly the experience was overall incredible, and I highly recommend joining EI Winter Track to anybody who wants to improve their physical physique as well as to engage with new friendships.

The exercises me and my friends were prescribed everyday were considerably rigorous. Sometimes we’d run on the track down by the football field or commit to various forms of weight-lifting at the weight room conveniently located behind the main gym. Whatever the exercise, we got through the struggles and regularly showed our skills at the track meets held at Suffolk County Community College.

There are various events at the track meets, including sprints, long-distance racing, high jump, and even shot-put (basically throwing a eight pound ball over distances counted in meters; it’s harder than it sounds). During the meets, I completed in the 55 meter-dash and the 300 meter race. While my scores weren’t top-notch to say the least, I plan to consistently improve with every season until I reach the highest ranks of winter track alongside my friends.

Due to the efforts of many of the athletes who competed in various events during this winter track season, the school successfully won the County tournament for the first time in East Islip history and went on to compete in the State Championships as well. The younger members of the team deserve praise too for their incredible performances during the Frosh/Soph. Championships (also held at SCCC in Brentwood).

Overall, the experience I had at high school thus far has been considerably enhanced thanks to the new opportunities I received by joining the East Islip Track Team, and I definitely look forward to participating in the new spring season.