On June 9, the spring track team held their banquet, which was the last of the year for track and field. Banquets are spirited and fun nights to give student athletes recognition for their hard work on the track. While the students ate the delicious potluck dinner, they watched a slideshow of pictures pop up on the projector, all from their successful season.

Mrs. Diedricksen, the girls’ head coach, started off the night with participation certificates. Mr. Jewett, the boys’ head coach, gave out the same awards as the two coaches alternated throughout the night: first participation, then JV, and finally Varsity. Every athlete received a red Hingham Track t­ee-shirt, and some recognized students earned plaques.

Joe Marwill, a sophomore and 800 runner, explained, “The banquet is definitely the best social event of the track season. It’s really fun seeing everyone in one place, too.” Joe received a Varsity award and continues to prove himself on the track. His love for winter and spring track caused him to stick with the sport, and he will now be participating in Cross Country this coming fall for a more long distance and off the track experience.

Shortly after students sat down for dessert, captains began their speeches. Each speech was unique in its own way, but there were definitely trends and common threads within them all. Many spoke of the common doubt from others that track isn’t a real sport, to which most responded, “that’s what most people who’ve never done track would say”.

In his speech, Clay Emmel, a spring track captain, explained, “So, when you’re running down the track or jogging down to Wompatuck, you kind of lose all of your stress. Each stride shakes that bad grade, embarrassing moment, or awkward captain speech right out of your head”. Of course Emmel’s comment caused laughter to erupt in the audience, but his words are meaningful and truthful. For runners, a feeling of clarity comes from a jog. Any situation from a long and confusing day of school simplifies, and oftentimes runners make important life decisions after a simplifying run.

For runners, being the captain isn’t about another accomplishment to share with colleges, because the realizations are worth every up and down, and stress melts away through a single run. As the last ever banquet for seniors, it was an emotional night.

Josie Cataldo, a graduated senior and twelve season runner throughout her high school career, reminisced, “I feel nostalgic, sentimental, and heartbroken at the same time. For the past four years, the track team and its members have been a family to me. It has been such a pleasure getting to know each and every person on the team and I know that team will always be my family no matter how far away we are from each other. I loved my four years as a member of the track and cross country teams, but I’m looking forward to the future and what it holds for all of my talented teammates. It’s hard saying goodbye to the team, but I know they’re off to do bigger and better things.”

Josie’s words spoke to so many, and will continue to live through each year of graduating seniors. She was an positive and integral part of the track team, and she is a wonderful example for every student athlete to follow. This year’s seniors will not be forgotten, and the track banquet is yet another recognition of the talent held within every grade of Hingham High School.