The Becton Girls Track Team has successfully begun the 2018 season under the leadership of second-year coach Mr. Marc Peck.

With a team that has already been able to score in almost every event, Coach Peck believes that this group of girls is much more diverse than last year’s team. “With a young team, we are working on building future leaders who can fill the big shoes we will lose this year,” he said. He anticipates that all his junior and senior players will do well this season. “I like coaching track because it’s the most diverse sport due to the variety of events, from throwing to running distance.”

Junior Lisa Squeo recently won both of her throwing events and contributed 18 points towards the team’s overall victory against Immaculate Conception, St. Mary’s High School and Wood-Ridge High School. She also placed third in the javelin and second in the discus in her recent meet against Hasbrouck Heights High School. Lisa participated in track during her freshman year, and her favorite part of the sport is throwing the javelin. “My goal for the season is to break the school record. I am about six feet away, and I am working harder than I ever have in previous seasons,” said the Becton athlete. She is also considering pursuing a track career in college.

Junior Safa Hassan, who is also a thrower, has been participating in track since her freshman year. This year, she achieved a personal record of 20.8 feet for throwing shot put. “I did track for fun during my freshman year, but over time, it grew on me. My goal is to get better, and by next year, I would like to try and seek out a scholarship,” Safa said.

Junior Paige Kruse joined track for the first time this year, and so far, her favorite event is the 4×200 relay. “My goal is to triple jump 30 feet and to improve on my 400 meter time. At her first meet of the year, she already earned two medals. She placed fourth in her 4×200 event and sixth in the triple jump.

Last but certainly not least, Junior Alessandra Acevedo began track last year and participates in the hurdles and high jump. During the season opener, her shuttle team placed third and she and Skylar MacKenzie placed fourth for the high jump relay. “My personal goal this year is to jump 4’10” in the high jump,” she said.

Coach Peck stated, “Our biggest strength is our youth, and the students need to improve on taking leadership.” His goal for this year’s team is to win the league championship and the Bergen County Group D Championship.

Upcoming track events include the Bergen County Relay at River Dell on April 20, the NJIC Championship on May 1 and the County Group Championship on May 11 and 12.