Due to the mutual philosophy, “If you want to be the best you must defeat the best” deemed by Coach Jason Crowe and the boys of the track and field team, their schedule for this year is purposely made to be difficult compared to other teams in the Illinois state.
“We are always taking on the top ranked teams in the state. If you want to be the best you must defeat the best. That is our philosophy. This challenging schedule will prepare us for the post season and the State Championship. We are looking forward to another year where the Cougars finish in the Top 10 in the State of Illinois,” Crowe said.
According to the coaches, the boys make sure to put the team first at all times. Crowe is personally excited about all the events at the State Championship and hopes that they place as high as possible.
“Track and Field is a unique sport where each individual athlete is always striving for a PR (personal record) when they compete. This makes sure that everyone counts and everyone on the team matters,” Crowe said.
The three athletes Crowe highlights are seniors Dylan Maloney, Anthony Vilcek, and Brenon Culpepper. Maloney participates in distance, Vilcek participates in short sprints, and Culpepper is the thrower of the team. Crowe personally addressed that all three athletes are important to the team, and bring a different perspective while being amazing individuals.
Maloney, team captain and multiple time All State and All American Athlete, is excited for the opportunity to showcase all the work he has accumulated throughout his four years. He emphasizes that their ability to know when to be a team and when to be friends with each other
“Being focused on the same team goals at practice or at meets helps us to build closer bonds in which we know when to take each other seriously, and when to joke around and just be friends,” Maloney said.
Culpepper is also going into his final year on the team as a participant since freshman year. In his junior year, he qualified for state by throwing 155.3 feet in discus. He claims Coach Crowe has brought the team closer together by pushing the team to be the better versions of themselves.
“Our team stays focused because we are all very determined to be great. There’s not a single person on our team that does not go one hundred percent. We are more than just a team though, we are a family. We compete against each other in everything we do, as brothers. We have so many team bonding activities which brings us closer together,” Culpepper said.
Crowe and Culpepper both believe that track and field is a great sport to join if you want to have a team, family, and a fun time in general.
“Track and Field is such a great experience and it is more than just a sport. It is also an opportunity to meet so many people and friends whilst also accomplishing your own goals. If you’re ever thinking about joining, it will be worth it,” Culpepper said.