Jesuit High School Sacramento’s track and field team began competition this last weekend and takes the spotlight as one of Jesuit’s most competitive sports. 

Last season, the track and field team won the Delta League Championship, and placed third at  the Sac-Joaquin Division I Section meet and the CIF State meet. 

This year, many athletes have set goals and records that they plan on breaking. Long-distance runner and University of Southern California signee Chase Gordon ’20 says that he hopes to  break a record and also wants the team to win big this year.

“For myself, I am hoping to win both Arcadia and the state championship in the 800 meters along with breaking the school record in the 800 meters,” Chase said. “This season, we are hoping to break the national record in the distance medley relay and win the state championship.”

With high aspirations for the season, the athletes look to their coaches for guidance and training. After coaching long-distance track for over 50 years, Coach Walt Lange reveals the simple trick to continue refining each athlete and reveals what has kept him coaching at Jesuit for 50 years.

“[The team will improve by using the] same old formula: train consistently [and] race with confidence,” Coach Lange said. “[I enjoy] helping athletes improve while at Jesuit and then seeing them lead successful lives after graduation.”

Despite every athlete having their own individual goals, the general goal for the team is to win the CIF State meet. With the conclusion of the offseason and the start of a new season, sprinter Nate Lewis ’21 expresses his team goals and what he’s doing to help achieve them.

“The team’s goals for next season are to be the fastest in the league,” Nate said. “I plan to improve my times by grinding and hitting the weight room.”

The track and field team’s first meet was a dual meet against Inderkum High School on Feb. 29. Come out and support the Jesuit track and field team at their next meet at Hornet Stadium on Saturday, March 7, at 10 a.m.