Jan. 22, 2026
By Serenity Mendoza
Staff Writer
Indoor track and field began its season on Dec. 18 at the Varsity Paul Schwartz Invitational at Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York.
Between now and March 8, the team, which consists of 58 athletes, will compete in about a dozen meets in both New Jersey and New York, arriving home as late as 10 p.m.
Head Coach Hykey, who has been leading the team for four years, said indoor track and field presents athletes with a unique set of challenges.
“Seeing how hard everyone works with the same goal of bettering themselves is really motivating. The success of my peers is proof that similar success is attainable.”
“We train outdoors, but most of our competitions are indoors,” Hykey said. “The track sizes are always different, the surface is different and the weather is different from the 30-degree weather we train in.”
Despite these obstacles, Hykey said the benefits outweigh the adversity.
“The most rewarding aspect of being a coach is seeing the growth from day one to the end of the season,” Hykey said. “What’s great about track is its numbers. You’ll see times get quicker or jumps and throws get further…. In other sports, you may not necessarily be able to see your progress as well as you can in a sport like track, where you are literally getting marked all the time.”
Junior Christina Mizeski, a third-year novice shot put competitor, said she joined the team as a way to stay active between volleyball season in the fall and outdoor track and field season in the spring.
She said track and field differs from volleyball because it is an individual sport.
“It is up to us to work hard and improve. We are responsible for our lifts. The coaches aren’t going to hunt you down and force you to work out. It is up to you to get stronger and better,” Mizeski said.
She said she is focusing on improving her strength and throwing distance.
“My inspiration for this sport comes from my entire team. Seeing how hard everyone works with the same goal of bettering themselves is really motivating. The success of my peers is proof that similar success is attainable,” Mizeski said.
She said she prepares for practice by wearing temperature-appropriate clothing and maintaining a growth mindset.
“It is tough to stay warm. It is also mentally challenging to repeat the same motions over and over again, trying to make each one better,” Mizeski said. “Many little components can completely alter the result of your throws, so finding the perfect movement is challenging.”
First-year varsity member junior Angelo Bellero, who competes in the 800-meter, mile and two-mile races, said he enjoys the sport’s intensity.
“I am a full-time runner between cross country, indoor and outdoor track. Participating in [indoor] track allows me to continue to practice year-round. I get to maintain fitness and stay consistent, which carries over into the outdoor season,” Bellero said.
He said he appreciates his teammates’ dedication.
“Everyone has to show up ready to work,” Bellero said. “I love getting to run with my friends and see all of our improvement over the season.”
