The world slows down around him as he seems to move in fast forward. Gliding with the wind, small pebbles crunch under his feet; he kicks them back as swirls of dust form at his heels. His senses are diminished. He can only feel his heart, pumping with adrenaline. The force of one foot pushes off the other, and he lunges forward with swift vigor. He regains his hearing as blurry figures in the distance motion their hands together. They clap. Louder. Louder. Louder. Victory.

While some view running as an exhausting task, others view running as an escape from real-world burdens. Something that has no limits. Something that can turn a world, once so confined by imaginary lines, into an open field with just a view of the warm sun setting in the horizon. Running gives one a chance to zone out; it doesn’t require deep thought, just a heart and soul.

In recent events, Patchogue-Medford High School’s boys’ track team won the league championships for the first time in 34 years. There is no doubt that it is the hearts and souls of the members of this team that helped secure such a feat. Seniors: Carlos Santos, Joey Collins, Zach Hicks, and Evan McGlone were formative contributors to the team’s victory against Ward Melville. As a result of their commitment to the team’s efforts, the boys track team will propel forward to compete in the county championships with ease. Such a victory does not come easily, however. Interestingly, the four leading seniors of the team have different outlooks on what it takes to win. Nonetheless, each outlook serves as a crucial element in attaining success.

Through the analysis of the myriad of events the leading seniors of the team take part in, it can be accounted for that well roundedness is key in performing well. However, as McGlone states, “form is key.” Ones movement is crucial in reaching the finish line, as one wrong step can set him behind his competitor.

Meanwhile, relay state champions, Carlos Santos and Zach Hicks, have different leading perspectives. For Santos, it is about constant movement. “There is always room for improvement,” he states. The moment he takes break is the moment he stops reaching for his goal to be the best he can be. Interestingly, Santos just recently beat the school record for the fastest run mile, completing the run in only four minutes and nineteen seconds, exactly one second faster than the previous record established in 1983. Clearly, he just keeps going.

Meanwhile, Zach Hicks, a state, league, and county champion, views running as a simple task, as long as he doesn’t get in his own head. “Don’t overthink it,” he states, “that is the key.” Clearly this thought process has benefitted Hicks as he will be attending Stony Brook University in the fall of 2018 as a division 1 athlete in the sport.

As for the final senior, Joey Collins, county champion, he views running as something to conquer. In his movement, he thinks of his dad and making him proud- the greatest catalyst of his tireless efforts. It can thus be said that a mind of encouraging thoughts is key in one’s race to the finish line.

With four formative contributors to Pat-Med’s high school track team heading off to college, it will definitely be difficult to lose them as they proceed with their studies. The team coach, Coach Cole, mentions how it will be difficult to see them go as they really helped to guide the team to success. Luckily though, Santos, McGlone, Hicks, and Collins have demonstrated various elements of success that will help lead their predecessors to victory as they once did.

Gallery • 4 Photos

Photo by Vicky Ivans

Carlos leads the way out in front during a race in his final high school track season.