There is nothing like the opportunity to represent your school and your team at one of most highly selective and competitive state track championships in the nation. Sophomore Brooke H., joined by freshmen Esme L. and Eloise F., made their maiden voyage up to Barton Hall on Cornell University’s campus for the NY Federation Track and Field Championship. Spence teammates Natalie B. ’17 and Maggie H.’19 both have run at Feds before, but the fever pitch of the moment does not fade, instead resonating with the enthusiasm from crowd-roaring in appreciation of the incredibly talented competitors putting themselves to the test. Proudly representing Spence, the AAIS and fellow independent schools in three events against the very best of the public, private, Catholic and independent indoor track athletes in the state represents a heady challenge to take in while the events speed by in a blur on the track.

In the words of T. Alan Armstrong, “Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.” Truly, Natalie, Brooke, Eloise, Maggie and Esme embodied this sentiment both for themselves and in their representation of their Spence peers. They were victorious in the demonstration of their championship character in the hours of preparation, unselfish collaboration, sacrifices and perseverance throughout the process of taking the risk to challenge themselves and generously lending support to one another in their pursuits.

The team’s performance in the 4x400M relay placed them 12th overall in the state, while individually Maggie placed 15th in the state in the 1000M and Natalie 21st in the state in the 300M. These girls have every reason to be incredibly proud of their accomplishments throughout the season and especially on the prestigious stage on Saturday. Given their competitive drive they are undoubtedly using the experience gained to set their sights on their next set of competitive goals, while hopefully taking at least a moment to reflect on their special accomplishment.

There is one more winter competition ahead: Maggie H. has attained the qualifying standard for the New Balance Indoor Nationals in the 800M. Maggie becomes the very first Spence Track student-athlete to qualify for the championship division, the highest level of competition at Nationals. Her time of 2:14.06, achieved at the 82nd Eastern States Championship last Wednesday, ranks in the top 25 high school performances in the nation this season. Her time in the 800M is the top performance by any freshman girl in the country this season. Maggie will get to run on her “home track” as the New Balance Armory in NYC will serve as the host site for the 2016 Nationals.

Stay tuned for details on Maggie’s trip to Nationals and until then, one more huge roar of congratulations for Natalie, Brooke, Eloise, Maggie and Esme on their True Blue performance at NY Federation Championship!