Track and field is associated by many with the sound of the starting pistol, a rush of adrenaline as the race begins and the celebration as a runner crosses the finish line. Fans in the stadium watch these events on the track, but surrounding it, field events involving throws and jumps take place. On March 14, these athletes showcased their skills at the Thousand Oaks Invitational.
Jumps
Twice a week, instead of attending running practice for her 100 and 200 meter races, Brooke Bilson, sophomore, can be found clearing the bar at high jump. Beginning high jump during youth track in seventh grade, Bilson has taken steps in practice to improve. “I think my form has gotten a lot better, and my rotation has gotten a lot better. I still have a long way to go, obviously, but you know, with high jump, it’s very easy to see how much you’ve gotten better. Because, you know, [personal record] is height,” Bilson said.
Using a pole to throw herself over a bar set at 11 feet, Kaia Duben, senior, has learned how to address the mental aspect of pole vault. “[I have learned] perseverance. Because pole vault is kind of centered around failure. You get three attempts at a bar, and if you don’t make it, then you’re done. But you have to keep going the next meet,” Duben said. Duben shares her love for the pole vault community due to the supportive nature of it. “We all just kind of want everybody else to do well. So we all root for each other, even if we’re from different teams,” Duben said.
Found at the sand pits, Jayden Gills, junior, is a triple jump and long jump athlete. With a background in basketball, Gills was able to carry over his jumping abilities to track and field. This season, Gills hopes to gain strength and technique in order to continue his triple jump career in college. “On your second jump, you’re actually carrying 17 times your body weight, which is pretty hard on your shins, so it’s pretty easy to get injured. I hope to keep working on my ankles and my shins, because they need to get a lot stronger for triple jump,” Gills said.
Throws
Originally a shotputter, Gitika Kohli, sophomore, aims to keep pushing herself in her second year of discus. During practice, throwers typically start with stretches and agility exercises until they switch to throwing the rubber and then metal disc. “[Many don’t know] how complicated and intricate [discus] is. I feel like people think it’s just like throwing a metal disc, but I feel like there’s so many components to it that make it so difficult and it’s an Olympic event too,” Kohli said.
Kasia Zapatka, sophomore, has continued to develop a passion for throwing after beginning shot put three years ago. Throwing 26 feet in shot and 55 feet in discus, Zapatka has learned how to improve from prior meets. “[Shotput has taught me] getting back up when you’re feeling low or you’re feeling doubtful in your skills, just gotta get back up,” Zapatka said.
With their next meet coming up on March 26, these athletes will continue to leap, launch and bound to new levels and personal records. “Since there’s a lack of high jumpers in the area, half the time it’s literally just four people high jumping. So it’s personal. You’re just trying to get a PR every single time,” Bilson said.