The girls Track and Field team is one of Carl Sandburg’s 30+ sports teams offered for their high school students. They have recently started their season as of January 21. The girls on this team work to compete at a variety of levels with a variety of skills, like shot put, 100 meter sprints, or the mile.
Each girl has their own special capabilities which, once united, form a very successful team. The team has started this season strong and looks forward to their first indoor meet at Richton Park on February 22. But before these girls can “triple jump” into their first meet, they have to strategize and continue their conditioning. The girls’ coach has a lot to say about where this team is headed and what can be done to get them there.
According to the head coach of the Sandburg girls Track and Field team, Tony Pena, “I enter every year wanting to give our 70+ athletes a positive experience. That is the first goal for me as a coach when I consider what will be considered a successful year. Relationships, experiences, work – these all trump the performance-based goals that many define a successful season.”
Coach Pena is confident in the work his athletes will do this season. He says that although they lost a handful of successful seniors, he has no doubt that these girls will step up to fill their shoes – more realistically, their spikes.
Coach Pena goes on to state, “Their impact on the culture of the program is greater than all their times, records and achievements on the track. When it comes to performance goals this season, I am still very optimistic for 2025.”
Nearly all of the girls’ track top jumpers, sprinters, and throwers will be returning for another great season with Sandburg. Long distance runners also have made tremendous improvements during the fall Cross Country season. This includes 2024 cross country and track state qualifier and distance runner Annika Trehan. When asked about her goals for the 2025 track season, she states that her main goal is qualifying for state for the 4×800 meter relay.
“This goal is mainly due to the fact we have such talented 800 meter runners on our team this year, and I’m truly motivated to put forth all the work into becoming a state qualifier,” Trehan said.
This goal is within reach for Trehan and her teammates because of the hard work and dedication they put into their sport. Trehan talks about how her teammates are her motivation and push her to be her best self. Her greatest achievement is another motivator for her running career goals.
This achievement is qualifying for state last year for the 4×400 meter relay. Trehan describes this experience as tense but also exciting. “Being a freshman paired with a team of seniors was quite nerve racking for me, especially since I didn’t want to let them down. At the time, this was the first time I ever found myself running with the seniors from my freshmen year. They were all very supportive, but rather intimidating. When we found out we had qualified within the time limit for state, the joy on everyone’s faces at that achievement will forever be seared into my memory.”
Like Coach Pena stated, the bonds the girls make for within this sport during races and events like the 4×400 meter or high jump or the two mile will last these girls a lifetime.
Coach Pena has emphasized that relationships are a huge part of this sport and in the real world. “I think relationships are the best way to motivate a team. Relationships from coach to athlete and athlete to athlete. Again, there are so many different reasons girls join our team. It is important to get to know each girl and let them know they are a valued member of the team. If they feel valued and connected, it is then much easier to leverage those connections into the hard work and commitment needed to perform at their highest level. I also take seriously the commitment as a coach to help each athlete achieve their potential,” Coach Pena said.
Coaches are a huge part of an athlete’s life and sport experience but so are the outside relationships that push them to do their best. For Trehan, this includes her top role model, her father.
“From a young age, he has always pushed me to try my best in sports. He always has extremely high expectations for me, something which motivates me to try my best in races.”
These girls have perseverance, and with the help of one another, a successful and enjoyable season ahead. Since it is so early in the track season, Coach Pena says it’s hard to tell what the girls track and field team’s biggest challenge will be, but he does state, “We return a lot of athletes from last year and I believe our coaching staff does a great job of motivating and helping girls to achieve their potential. We also have great kids on our team that are highly motivated. So, I believe we will once again have a good 2025 track and field season.”
