Practice in sub-zero temperatures, meets in the city that last until midnight, and a season that feels never ending are just a few highlights of NVOT winter track. Often overlooked, this sport mostly includes athletes who are preparing for the spring sports season, whether that be track or another sport. However, the boys winter track team really challenged that narrative this season. Their hard work and perseverance throughout the gruesome winter weather ultimately resulted in them being awarded the title of Bergen County Team of the Year.
Although several injuries and extreme weather conditions challenged the team, their determination and dedication to the sport helped them to endure the long season and come out on top. Senior sprinter Aidan Nally said, “I stayed motivated through my goals and teammates. I had missed a lot of time due to injuries in the prior season, and felt behind. My teammates were also a huge part in sticking to it as there was always the pressure of being better than the guy next to you.”
Senior distance runner Brendan McNamara had a similar mindset when talking about his season. McNamara said, “To stay motivated I just focus on my goals and being able to perform to the best of my ability. A lot of it also boiled down to the success of the team. Winning Bergen county relays and sectionals really allowed me to stay excited about the sport and continue to the end.” This season, McNamara placed first in the 800m in both the Big North Championship and the NJSIAA Sectional Championship. His PR (personal record) of 1:56 at Sectionals helped contribute to the team becoming Sectional Champions.
The boys’ efforts throughout the season were clearly displayed through their results. Winter track head coach Peter Dunn said that despite the fact that the team “came a little short in the league meet early in the season because of some injuries from the fall,” they ultimately were able to “come out on top in both counties and state sectionals” once they had a full team.
Not only was this season significant for the team, but many individual athletes had some remarkable achievements as well. Senior Ben Johnson set a new school record of 2:34 for the 1000M (previously 2:35). Nally also broke an old record, running a 6.60 for the 55M race (previously 6.63). Nally said, “I had found out on the bus after running the 4×4 that I broke the record and was too tired to even think about it. When I got home and settled though it hit me. I was very happy, and it made all the training I’ve done the past four years really worth it.”
Even though the boys won Bergen County Team of the Year for the winter, their spring season is still ahead. With this upcoming season, the boys track team is making sure that they stay focused in order to succeed. McNamara said, “I think winning Bergen County Team of the Year will motivate us to do better so that we could live up to the title. We all knew coming into this season that this was going to be a good year for us. But we shouldn’t let it get to our heads going into spring since it’s a new season and anything can happen.”
His fellow teammates agree. Nally said, “[Winning Bergen County Team of the Year] motivates [the team] greatly as we hope to keep that success rolling through the seasons. It was the first time in a while we were able to achieve the title, and we’re going to have our best return as well as many new faces in the spring.”