Boys’ Track and Field competed at the Lakes High Invite on Feb. 26, finishing fourth out of 22 teams. 

Before the meet, varsity head coach Tony Holler had confidence in his team to perform well.

“We will be as good as ever,” Holler said.

Senior Dylan Gramley finished second in the 60m at 7.10 and fourth in the 200m at 23.34. Senior Nick Simpson and senior Josh Bedford both placed top-five in the 800m, marking a first for North with both finishing under 2:01 in the same race. North also had two competitors finish in the North top-four all-time in the 3200 with senior Cooper Shelton finishing at 9:37:35 and junior Oliver Burns at 9:35:51, with Burns placing fourth in the competition. 

“[The meet] went great, really happy with how everyone performed,” senior Dylan Gramley said. “Made me realize how much potential and talent we have as a team this year.”

The meet continued the Tigers’ impressive track record, after a season in which the team qualified for state in the 800m, 4x400m, 4x100m, and 300m int. hurdles.

“We had a great year last year in spite of not training for 14 months prior to the track season,” Holler said.

The team finished seventh in the 4×200 at 1:36:46, and fifth in the 4×800 at 8:30:90 and also ran 3:34:03 in the 4×400, which would have placed them sixth in the state. However, they were disqualified for running alongside their teammates.

“Our team is young as some of the team doesn’t have the experience of being in a meet which we faced in the first meet with the disqualification and running after false starts,” senior Kendrick Cyracus said. “Over time the underclass will get the ropes of things.” 

Overall, the meet demonstrated their strength as a team, even in their setbacks.

“It was a great start,” assistant coach Andrew Derks said. “This team has great leaders, and the culture of the team is as strong as ever.”

Although the first meet of the season showed great promise, according to Cyracus, the Tiger’s only aim is to continuously improve in the remaining season.

“The goal we have as a team is to improve from meet to meet so we’re ready for outdoor season when we get to conference, sectionals, and possibly state so we can bring home the state trophy,” Cyracus said.

Senior captain Colin Wojtkiewicz believes the team’s main strength is the drive they bring every day.

“Everyone that is there brings positive energy and always cheering people on,” Wojtkiewicz said. “Everyone is running across the inside area of the track cheering them on, and even if we lose, everyone is jumping up and down with the attitude that we won.”