Victoria Terzyiska

1. What event are you the captain for, the girls or boys team?

“I am the throws captain for the girls team. The events I am captain for are javelin, shotput and discus.”

2. What event(s) do you compete in?

“I compete in all three events, but my main two events are javelin and shotput.”

3. How long have you been involved in track and field?

“I have been involved in track and field for four years.”

4. What made you want to become a captain this season?

“I wanted to become a captain this season so I could try to help athletes avoid the burnout I experienced every single season I competed.”

5. What do you think makes a good team captain?

“I think a good captain is someone who values and treats athletes as people, regardless of their performance. Also, I believe a good captain is someone who encourages athletes to prioritize their mental health no matter what because in order to be an asset to the team, you need to take care of yourself.”

6. What are your personal goals for this season?

“My personal goal for this season is to get more girls into throwing and set them up for success by teaching them proper technique.”

7. What goals does your team have for this season?

 “Our team would love to win at least one meet, but we would also love to build better connections with each other.”

8. What has been the most exciting or memorable moment so far this season or from one of the previous seasons?

“One of the most memorable moments that I experienced last season was when my underclassmen friend facetimed me immediately after she set a new personal record [PR] while I was recovering from surgery. She was super excited because she had not beat her PR all season and near the end she finally crushed it.” 

9. How will you help keep your teammates motivated during practices and meets?

 “I will keep my teammates motivated by celebrating their wins (regardless if they are small or great). I will also aim to make the environment at practice a positive place.” 

10. What does a typical practice look like for your event group?

 “A typical practice for throws consists of a whole team dynamic warm-up, then we go to lower Turco and break off into groups to practice one of the three throwing events and lastly, we end with a lift inside.” 

11.How would you describe the team dynamic or team culture this year?

“Track is a very tight-knit community in which the girls are all very inclusive and welcoming towards one another.” 

12. Is there a meet this season that you are especially looking forward to? Why?

 “Not particularly.” 

13. What advice would you give to underclassmen or new athletes joining the track team?

 “Take care of yourselves, and do not associate winning with materialistic things such as medals. Track is a you vs. you sport, so as long as you are improving in your own way, you are winning.”

14. What do you hope people at our school understand about the track team or the sport in general?

“It is definitely a lengthy time commitment, but it is great for integrating discipline into your life and working in great time management skills.” 

Kristen Barry

1. What event are you the captain for, the girls or boys team?

“I’m Kristen and I am the girls sprints and jumps captain!”

2. What event(s) do you compete in?

“In a typical spring meet I will compete in the 100m dash, 4x100m relay and long jump.”

3. How long have you been involved in track and field?

“I have been involved with the track and field program since my freshman year, competing in both the winter and spring seasons.”

4. What made you want to become a captain this season?

“Coming into my senior year, I wanted to be captain to lead by example and make it a positive environment for the sprinters.”

5. What do you think makes a good team captain?

“I think a good team captain should value teamwork, support and respect to all athletes.”

6. What are your personal goals for this season?

“Going into my last Spring season I have a lot of goals for myself, some including breaking my personal record in the 100m dash and beating our 4x100m time from last spring.”

7. What goals does your team have for this season?

“As far as team goals, I think we all hope to win at least one meet, but hopefully more!”

8. What has been the most exciting or memorable moment so far this season or from one of the previous seasons?

“The most memorable moment from the past winter season had to have been when my friend Maeve’s shoe fell off in our 4x200m relay.”

9. How will you help keep your teammates motivated during practices and meets?

“I plan to keep the team motivated during practices and meets by celebrating all their PRs as the season goes on and making both team and individual goals for each meet.”

10. What does a typical practice look like for your event group?

“A typical day at practice begins with a team warm-up with all the event groups. Following that we will branch off into our different events where we will do a secondary stretch before our assigned workout for that day. After our workout, we usually will practice some block starts with the coach to improve our form and get feedback. Finally, we head to the weightroom where we finish off with a lift and sometimes core.”

11.How would you describe the team dynamic or team culture this year?

“Our team dynamic this year is very strong because all the sprinters push each other to get better, work for team success and have good communication.”

12. Is there a meet this season that you are especially looking forward to? Why?

“While I am looking forward to all the meets this season, I am especially excited for senior night because the home meets are my favorite and I am excited to have the ceremony for all the seniors.”

13. What advice would you give to underclassmen or new athletes joining the track team?

“For the underclassmen and new athletes, my advice is to enjoy every minute of it because it’s over before you know it. Also, it is important to understand that not every race will be your best performance and to keep working hard and have patience with yourself. “

14. What do you hope people at our school understand about the track team or the sport in general?

“I hope that people understand it is just as important as any other sport.” 

Bridget Tierney

1. What event are you the captain for, the girls or boys team?

“Girls distance captain.”

2. What event(s) do you compete in?

“I run the 400m, 800m and mile!”

3. How long have you been involved in track and field?

“I joined track my freshman year!”

4. What made you want to become a captain this season?

“I wanted to become a captain because I know how important it is to be a role model for younger athletes and strong leadership!”

5. What do you think makes a good team captain?

“I think a good team captain is someone who cares about their teammates on and off the track while contributing to a positive environment.”

6. What are your personal goals for this season?

“I am hoping to break 2:20 in the 800m this season.”

7. What goals does your team have for this season?

“Our team goal is to win a meet in the regular season!”

8. What has been the most exciting or memorable moment so far this season or from one of the previous seasons?

“My most memorable moment was when our 4x800m competed at the outdoor state championship running a PR.”

9. How will you help keep your teammates motivated during practices and meets?

“I will help keep my teammates motivated by making sure it is a positive team atmosphere and encouraging them to always try their best.”

10. What does a typical practice look like for your event group?

“A typical practice includes our team stretching, bands and rolling before we either go out on the roads/woods for a longer run or a workout on the track. We finish by doing a team stretch before core or a lift.”

11.How would you describe the team dynamic or team culture this year?

“We have a really great group of girls this year who are eager to give it their all while cheering on one another!”

12. Is there a meet this season that you are especially looking forward to? Why?

“I am looking forward to the Weston Twilight meet in May because you get to run at night under the lights. It is a really fun experience!”

13. What advice would you give to underclassmen or new athletes joining the track team?

“I would tell the underclassman to never give up and have fun.” 

14. What do you hope people at our school understand about the track team or the sport in general?

“I hope people learn about how inclusive and welcoming the track team is and there is a spot for everyone!”

Lily McManus

1. What event are you the captain for, the girls or boys team?

“I am a captain for girls track mid-distance.”

2. What event(s) do you compete in?

“I mainly compete in the 400m, but I also run relays (4x400m and 4x800m) and the 800m.”

3. How long have you been involved in track and field?

“I have been in track and field all four years!”

4. What made you want to become a captain this season?

“I wanted to be captain because I really enjoy helping others integrate within the community. I think I am able to offer good advice and set a good example for others.”

5. What do you think makes a good team captain?

“In my opinion, a good team captain is social and encourages others to do their best, whether it is through setting a good example or giving verbal advice.”

6. What are your personal goals for this season?

“My personal goal is to help others reach their full potential and understand the value of hard work, but also learn the balance of having fun and enjoying track.”

7. What goals does your team have for this season?

“Our team discussed a goal to win at least one meet! I think it is completely doable.”

8. What has been the most exciting or memorable moment so far this season or from one of the previous seasons?

“Picking a memorable moment is so hard since I have made so many friends and good memories throughout my years in the program. If I had to choose, I would say last year in spring track, it was an away meet and the weather was awful. It was rainy and cold and windy, however, everyone was laughing and taking cover while the meet was temporarily paused. The weather started to clear up and there was a double rainbow as soon as the meet started up again. I will never forget everyone singing and dancing.”

9. How will you help keep your teammates motivated during practices and meets?

“I think playing music and helping cheer on athletes during practice and meets is a way to keep the mood fun and cheerful for athletes and keeps everyone motivated!”

10. What does a typical practice look like for your event group?

“For mid-distance, our practice usually starts with one lap around the track, team stretching, dynamics, rolling, (occasionally) resistance bands, a run (ranging from hill workouts to three to four mile runs) and we typically end the day with a lift in the weight room or core with the rest of the team!”

11.How would you describe the team dynamic or team culture this year?

“This year, I think the team is very involved with one another. So far, there is good communication between teammates and coaches. Everyone is kind to each other and overall I think we have a very positive team dynamic.”

12. Is there a meet this season that you are especially looking forward to? Why?

“I am looking forward to a Weston Twilight meet! Although it is not as fun as the cross country twilight meets, it is such a good meet to compete in and the sunsets are usually nice.” 

13. What advice would you give to underclassmen or new athletes joining the track team?

“My advice for new athletes would be pretty similar to our coaches — be comfortable with being uncomfortable! It is so important to try new things and come out of your comfort zone. Track is always hard to get into since it is so physically demanding, but once you get in the groove of things, you will start to see your improvement and become more comfortable in the sport!”

14. What do you hope people at our school understand about the track team or the sport in general?

“I hope others realize the hard work that every athlete puts into this sport. Track is very time consuming and it takes a huge mental and physical toll. Anyone who competes in track, whether they are slow or fast, is putting a great deal of effort in which should be respected no matter what sport you do! Everyone’s accomplishments should be celebrated instead of compared.” 

Maeve Monteith

1. What event are you the captain for, the girls or boys team?

“Girls sprints and jumps.”

2. What event(s) do you compete in?

“Girls sprints and jumps.”

3. How long have you been involved in track and field?

“I have been involved since freshman year when I joined the winter season.”

4. What made you want to become a captain this season?

“I’ve always looked up to my captains throughout my time on the team and I have always wanted to make a difference and be there for my teammates when they need me.”

5. What do you think makes a good team captain?

“Establishing strong relationships with my teammates and maintaining a balance of having fun at practice and working hard.”

6. What are your personal goals for this season?

“I hope to PR in my events and be the best captain I can be.”

7. What goals does your team have for this season?

“We hope to win at least one meet.”

8. What has been the most exciting or memorable moment so far this season or from one of the previous seasons?

“Our 4x200m relay in winter broke 1:50:00 at our last meet which was a longtime goal of ours and I was very proud that we accomplished that.”

9. How will you help keep your teammates motivated during practices and meets?

“Encouraging them to do their best at practice and at their meets and having a good mindset towards challenging practices.”

10. What does a typical practice look like for your event group?

“The whole girls team warms up as a group and then the event groups break off and we warm up as a sprint group. Then our coach will have a workout for us to do and then we usually go lift in the weight room.”

11.How would you describe the team dynamic or team culture this year?

“Our dynamic is very strong and each event group gets along very well with each and everybody on our team.”

12. Is there a meet this season that you are especially looking forward to? Why?

“I’m looking forward to senior night because as a senior, it will be very emotional, but bittersweet to have a meet dedicated to the seniors who have been running throughout their years at Walpole High School.”

13. What advice would you give to underclassmen or new athletes joining the track team?

“Do not be afraid to try something new even if you feel you will fail at it. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable as coach [Zachary] Ganshirt always says.”

14. What do you hope people at our school understand about the track team or the sport in general?

“We are a hard-working group of girls who thrive through each other’s motivation and encouragement.”