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Sports

Big Accolades for the 4 X 800 Relay Teams

Westwood's two indoor track teams had strong seasons this past winter, with the boys winning All-States, and the girls team breaking a high school record.

Westwood High School has had its share of sports accolades this season, and two of them came from the the boys' and girls' 4 X 800 relay teams.

The boys team posted a time of 7:57.59 to break the meet record of 8:01.13, set in 1998 by Newton North High School, while the girls team broke the WHS record at the All State meet with a time of 9:44.58.

Boys 4 X 800

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The boys team won the All-States with their record breaking time, while the girls placed eighth. The boys team, in order of their leg, comprised Junior Erik Brakke, Senior Pat O’Donnell, Junior Matt Reissfelder and Senior Matt Jessup.

Overall, the Westwood track team placed 14th, but Boys Coach Tom Davis attributed his team’s success in the 4 X 800 relay team to incredibly hard training.

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At the beginning of the training cycle, Davis said he would tell the team that if they did everything he asked and believed in themselves, they would be at a fitness level to compete with anyone. The team endured a structured strength, lifting and hip mobility routine as part of the training.

“Our program is very strength based,” said Davis. “We emphasize steady mileage, aerobic development and pace specific training. When the time comes, we tap into our speed and then get ready to race.”

That form was a main reason the team had been running so slowly, Davis said, with an 8:15 best time all season prior to achieving times of 8:09 and 7:57 to win All-States. The time of 7:57 was a record, and at one point the best time in the nation.

For the most part, Davis said, the team had excellent work ethic, and others are improving. Without that work ethic, the team wouldn’t have amounted to much, he added. Only a year ago, the boys were much slower and involved in other sports like basketball.

“They did the work day in and day out, and the result was getting to an elite level that never dreamed of before,” said Davis.

Davis said that with Reissfelder and Brakke returning, the team is looking strong for next year as well. In fact, he said that there are some athletes coming up who had thinks have the potential to accomplish even more. He believes that the next team could be as good if not better, leaving Westwood track fans a lot to hope for.

Davis said that the most memorable part of the season was winning the All-State 4 X 800, but there were several great moments throughout the season; the team as a whole put so much energy and effort into winning the race, so when it actually happened it was a huge accomplishment.

“My hope is that this momentum and confidence spreads to more kids on the entire team as we need more kids working as hard as this relay to have an all around successful team,” Davis said.

It wasn’t always easy. Davis noted that Westwood has a small team and too few kids taking track and field at Westwood seriously. He said that some of the athletes are high level, but wants more to take initiative and be ready to work. He hopes that with a state title under their belt, more kids will devote themselves to success.

Recently, the team competed in the Nationals and placed 18th with a time of 7:57. However, the time would have been faster if it weren't for a tragic fall - during O’Donnell’s leg of the race, he was cut off by another runner. O’Donnell, Davis said, valiantly got up and completed his leg in a still respectable time of 2:03. While running their hearts out, the boys couldn’t recover, but Davis was proud of their effort.

Girls 4 X 800

Coach Jennifer Teahan takes pride in her 4 X 800 team, which broke the school record set in 1981 this year. The group is made up of Junior Nora Smith, Sophomore Kaitlin Plecinoga, Senior Mary O'Sullivan and Junior Sam Kitchen.

“It is a dedicated group of athletes that positively work off each other, push each other physically and mentally,” Teahan said.

The team had base training at the beginning of the season and finished off with tapering and speed work. The girls mixed in hills when they could, but the vast amount of snow made that a problem.

“Winter is challenging, especially given the amount of snow - given the challenge of training on hazardous roads,” said Teahan.

Teahan said that Westwood is fortunate enough to have enough depth to continue to improve on what has already been a success. She noted that Sophomore Andrea Simi is a strong athlete who is just as fast as all four girls on the record team.

She said that they are lucky to have a program that continues to grow. The girls set their goals high and other athletes follow their lead.

“Success is just an expectation now,” said Teahan.

But watching athletes grow over the course of a season is what Teahan said is most rewarding, whether it be a runner's improved time or sprinter becoming familiar with how to get out of blocks.

“One of my most vivid memories was at our league meet,” said Teahan. “We had so much success and so many girls hit performance bests. It is so exciting to see the look in each girl’s eye when she knows that the hard work and positive attitude paid off.”

Athletic Director Karl Fogel also takes pride in the work of both relay teams, said that both teams are made up of hard working, dedicated athletes.

“Their success is the result of year round training and unusual competitive instincts,” said Fogel. “They are the best relay teams in the history of the school.”

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