The boys and girls varsity track teams honored their seniors during a meet against the Newton North Tigers and Milton Wildcats at Harry Downes Field on Wednesday, May 6.
The boys varsity team was defeated by the Tigers 73-63, but defeated the Wildcats 110-26. The girls varsity team fell to the Tigers 93-43 and defeated the Wildcats 69-67. In addition to being the Warriors’ senior night, it was also their annual “Coaches vs. Cancer” meet.
The meet was the Warriors’ only opportunity to compete at home this season, with teammates, families and fans filling Downes Field throughout the night.
Senior and captain Harry Flint said competing at Downes Field for senior night was especially meaningful because of the memories he has built there throughout his career.
“It meant everything,” Flint said. “It feels like yesterday I was a freshman racing at Downes. I practice there every day, and I’ve spent so much of my life there, so it was extremely special to have my senior night there.”
Despite rainy conditions throughout the meet, the atmosphere remained energetic. Flint said supporting his teammates was one of the highlights of the night.
“Just being able to cheer for my teammates was one of the most special moments for me at this meet,” Flint said. “Seeing people do well and seeing hard work pay off was one of the most gratifying things.”
For the boys races, despite wins in the 400-meter and mile from Flint and senior captain Theodore Butty, the Warriors began to fall to the Tigers during events such as the 100-meter and the discus.
On the girls side, the Warriors lost early points to the Tigers as they scored important points throughout sprinting and mid-distance events, including the 100-meter and the 400-meter. However, senior and captain Maliah Thompson said she achieved her personal goals.
“One of my really big goals was to break 28 [seconds],” Thompson said. “In the Wednesday race, I ran 27.7, so really being able to see my work coming to fruition in my final 200 race felt really good for me.”
Thompson said seeing teammates continue improving was one of the highlights of the night.
“To support my teammates and look around and see other people having PRs and running their best times was a really great thing for me,” Thompson said.
Butty said senior night was something he had looked forward to throughout his four years on the team.
“I remember freshman year watching the seniors go behind their banners and make their speeches and picturing myself in their shoes,” Butty said. “Finally being there for my last meet at Downes was really something special.”
Flint said he hopes the younger athletes continue building the mentality that has helped sustain the program’s success.
“If you don’t believe that you can win a state championship, then you flat out won’t,” Flint said. “That mentality is something I’ve tried to emphasize to everyone on the team every day.”
