Exeter Track and Field Competes at the NHIAA Meet

By  ISABEL EVANS and ERIN HAN

As one of the final meets preceding their E/a game, the Track and Field team showed a strong performance at the NHIAA (New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association) meet held on Feb. 3.

Though the team had already attended several NHIAA meets, this meet stood out in its heightened significance and the motivation of players, setting it apart from past ones.

Team captain and senior Anna Kim explained, “We’ve been having NHIAA meets almost every week, but this one had entry standards, so not everyone competed. The energy in the building was pretty electric as the New Hampshire teams were trying to seek qualifying times for their state meet which is coming up.” She continued, “I thought that our team competed well. Even if people weren’t competing, they were also cheering and showing great team spirit.” Some members of the team stayed from 10:30 a.m. to as late as 4 or 5 p.m. so that they could cheer on their teammates in addition to practice and training.

The team won the Boy’s 4x800 relay; and Exonians secured wins in several individual events: Clara Kanb in the Girl’s 600 meter, Jack Hutchins in the Boy’s 1500 meter, Eli Cross in the Girl’s 1500 meter, and Janelle Bobb in the Girl’s Shot Put.

In addition, the meet provided an opportunity for team members to qualify — or even re-qualify — for the National High School Track and Field meets being held in early March.

“[It was the] last meet before Exeter-Andover which marks post-season or the championship meets, so for a lot of people, it was the last chance to qualify for nationals…” said prep Owen Cosgrove. He continued, “[There were] two or three other schools there, like Austin Prep and Governor’s, and it was a pretty big meet for only three or four schools in total. It took a long time to get through all the heats, but it was really an exciting atmosphere—we’re just looking forward to Exeter Andover next week.”

After wrapping up the NHIAA meet, the team is looking forward to new goals and upcoming meets. The fastest-approaching meet is the Exeter-Andover meet, which will take place on Valentine’s Day. The team looks forward to going down to Massachusetts to have a great time competing against the school’s rival. The E/a meet is the last meet for those not going to Indoor Nationals, Harvard, or Boston University meets that take place after E/a. Prep Noa Wood, one of the several nationals-qualifiers on the team, noted, “The thing [on] everyone’s minds right now is beating Andover. That’s just what we’re set on now.” 

The captains of the team are looking forward to the meet and seeing how the team will compete against Andover. Kim said, “We’re obviously excited for E/a, and I’m looking forward to how we compete in that dual meet.” Kim also remarked on her pride in the team and their efforts. “As a captain and teammate, it’s been very rewarding to see everyone’s progress over the past few months, and I’m proud of how we’ve grown as a team both on and off the track.” 

As this next meet begins to mark the close of indoor track, the team looks forward to beat Andover and put in their best efforts. The team is confident in their progress and are going to work hard to bring home a victory in this next meet. Wood noted, “We will beat them. It’s a given.” While the team prepares and many members approach their last meet of the season, Exeter Track and Field is getting ready to put out their best and represent the Academy.