By Alex Hunt

Walled Lake Central’s outdoor Track and Field athletes are preparing to dominate yet another season. With three Conference Championships in the past four years, the track team once again prepares to bleed, sweat, and cry to maintain their title.

On April 23, the team faced off against Waterford Kettering, crushing the competition before the halfway mark in the meet. Absolutely outstanding performances were delivered from the entire team. In most, if not all events, Central took first and third place. Junior Tristan Fackelman finished the two-mile run with nearly a 200 meter lead on second place; which was another Central runner. In the 1600 meter relay, junior Zane Coplai snagged first place after starting the 400 meter dash nearly 100 meters behind his opponent, making for an almost inhuman and astonishing performance. Congratulations to Fackelman and Coplai for their hard work and dedication.

Regarding the meet, senior sprinter Timothy Smerdon said, “As a team, we did exactly what we were supposed to do, but Tristan and Zane really tore it up on the track today.”

Central competed at Lakeland on April 15, winning by over thirty points. Before that, Central trained at the EMU Huron Relay invitational March 22. There, Central scrimmaged several high ranking and competitive teams; the rest of the KLAA conference did not attend.

On March 19, the team attended its first meet, the SVSU indoor invitational. The athletes competed in a number of indoor dashes including the 60 meter dash, and the 60 meter hurdles. They also participated in the 1600 M relay, Pole Vault, Shot Put, High Jump, and Long Jump.

“Everyone is [competing] where they are for a reason; this meet is just a workout for the team,” said Head Coach NebojsaStojkovic said before the SVSU invitational, “Your job is to train hard, and bring home that conference championship victory – every year.”

The team only grows closer and stronger as they forge a path to the Conference Championship. Only time will tell what team is the best. Central’s track team is ready to compete at the highest level.