Manuel Villagrana (11) is on the track team doing shot put and discus. He’s been doing track for two years now. He joined because he was bored and had no sport to play.

Villagrana’s favorite event is discus because people throw really far and he thinks that’s cool. His personal record right now is 38 meters, and he’s trying to beat that personal record this season.

Before meets, Villagrana keeps it simple. He gets sleep and eats a good meal so he is ready. He says the hardest part about training is staying consistent, but he just keeps pushing through it.

One of his biggest accomplishments is making the varsity team on his first day back, which is impressive. This season, his goals are to get good PRs and not get injured.

He also likes being on the team because everyone is nice to each other and gets along. His teammates support each other and help when someone needs it. They also spend time together outside of practice, which makes the team feel like a group of friends, not just teammates.

“My favorite memory is after our meets when we stop to eat. My friends and I walk to where we like to eat,” Villagrana said.

Those moments help him relax and enjoy track even more after working hard and putting in a lot of effort.

Track has also changed him in a positive way. He says it has made him more responsible, especially when it comes to managing his time and showing up ready for practice and meets.

He also said that something people don’t always realize about track is that it is a very individual sport. Even though you are part of a team, you’re mostly competing against yourself and trying to improve your own performance.

When Villagrana has a bad meet or doesn’t do as good as he wanted to, he doesn’t let it bother him for too long. He says he forgets about it and focuses on getting better at the next practice.

During touch practices, what keeps him going is his teammates. They push each other to work harder and not give up, which helps everyone improve together.

Villagrana says he has never wanted to quit track. He enjoys the sport and the people around him, which makes him want to keep going and getting better.

If someone wants to join track, Villagrana says to have fun but to also stay focused. He believes anyone can find an event they like, whether it is running, jumping, or throwing.

Track has many different events, so there is something for everyone. Villagrana thinks track is a fun sport and a great experience everyone should try if they could.