The winter track season officially kicked off for our Highland Park High School team as they enthusiastically participated in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Relays on January 6. This set the stage for an exciting and competitive season. The GMC Relays provided a platform for our athletes to showcase their skills and determination, setting the tone for the challenges and triumphs they will encounter throughout the season.
Shortly after, they participated in their second meet of the season, the GMC States Relays on January 12. The team achieved impressive results during this competition, with the boys' 4000 meter distance medley relay team of Rubin Hersh, Sharat Sabnis, Shawn Wang, and Henry Bilton securing 4th place. The boys' 4x800 meter relay team also delivered a strong performance, earning 5th place with the collaborative efforts of Rubin Hersh, Henry Bilton, Joseph Winfrey, and Robert O’Connell. Freshman Rubin Hersh shared, “My goal this year in winter track is to break my 4:30 time in the mile. When I first stepped into the bubble for the first time, it felt overwhelming and cool since the bubble is huge and you’re kind of in the middle of everything.”
The girls’ team also began the season with impressive titles. The girls’ 4000m distance medley relay team claimed a spot in the top 10, featuring the participation of Ennyn Chiu, Ruby Miller, Jalya Hsiung, and Emma Pan. Emma commented, “Confidently running track this year, I place my trust in teammates and coaches, aiming to be a supportive teammate like those who inspire me. I faced a challenge recently during the GMC states relay in my 4x800 race, where I unintentionally disqualified my team. Despite the setback, my teammates responded with kindness and support, forgiving me and ensuring I was okay.”
Nevertheless, the team started this season on a positive note. They maintained their successful performance at the January 20 GMC Championships, clinching twenty top-20 finishes across a variety of events. Go Owls!