The State High Outdoor Track and Field Team is unlike any other sports program in the school.
Across both the girls and boys teams, 217 athletes were rostered for the 2024-25 spring season. The number, far more than that of any other team at State High, only rose this year, presenting obvious benefits and drawbacks in the track community.
The group meets for a quick meeting before every practice, either in the cafeteria or at the track, then divides into four groups for event-specific practice: sprinters, distance runners, jumpers, and throwers. On a typical practice day, sprinters stay at the track, throwers move down to Welch Field, jumpers go to the jumping pits above the track, and distance runners scour their route around State College.
Sophomore Sam Morningstar, a former thrower but now a hurdler, described how the division into groups affects team dynamics.
“If you are on the track, you normally are friends with everyone on the track, but sometimes, the throwers and the jumpers get kind of left out, because they are more isolated,” Morningstar said.
Although it affects the unity of the track community, separating into groups is crucial because of the wide variety of events under the track and field umbrella.
Morningstar noted the positive aspects of the division, though it is detrimental in some ways.
“You have to train your muscles and your mind to do what you compete in. If you don’t, you would be worse prepared for your event,” Morningstar said.
Despite the array of separate events that track and field athletes compete in, every athlete on the team works toward a single common goal: a state championship. However, all 200-some team members cannot all compete in the postseason, or even in every regular season meet.
Oftentimes, top runners will not travel to low-level dual meets or, when they do, will avoid injury by not trying their hardest to win. That is another aspect of the track and field team not replicated by any other State High program.
For example, while most results of State High basketball and football games are ultimately meaningless to the pursuit of a district and state championship, the teams still trot out with their best players and work as hard as they can to win. The track and field team doesn’t employ the same strategy.
Following the final scheduled meet, coaches meet and select a championship roster consisting of less than half of the original roster.
Senior Matt Morningstar, brother of Sam and a four-year member of both the track and field and cross country teams, spoke on the emotions that come with the selections.
“It is sad to see the roster come out, a lot of people who worked hard all season have to leave, and it’s tough not being at practice with everyone. But usually, people are good sports about it and ask us how the meets have been, which is pretty special,” Matt Morningstar said.
Matt Morningstar’s experience in the track program is a testament to how it can produce lifelong bonds despite its nontraditional team environment. He formed friendships with teammates of all grades, event groups, and cliques, whether it was through mixed relays, practice conversations, or simply cheering them on in their races.
He detailed the relationships that he has developed over his long career.
“Everyone on the track team means so much to me because any accomplishment is celebrated by all,” Matt Morningstar said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re the slowest or the fastest runner, everyone filling their roles on the team has created a tight-knit community that I will remember forever.”
It is clear that the track and field team is constructed differently from the majority of athletic programs at State High, and there are some systematic divisions that come from that. However, it doesn’t restrict the ability to develop strong connections with teammates and foster a cohesive, communal environment.
