The girls track team from Hawthorne High School won the NJIC Colonial Division Championship, a title signifying the team as the best in its league, after a season of dual meets and the championship meet. The track team competed against nine other teams.

After going 7-1 this season, the girls clinched the win at the April 29 meet in Palisades Park. The last time the girls won this title was the 2008 season, and last year they fell just three points shy of the championship.

Coach Gus Schell is extremely proud of his team and noted that part of its success comes from the upperclassmen. He said of the team, “We have tremendous senior leadership.” Schell wants the underclassmen to learn from the seniors on the team. He said, “I’ve really enjoyed coaching this particular team. Hopefully underclassmen learn from seniors that there can be real successes.”

His quote is exemplified by senior Jenna Dyksen, who competes in running, hurdle, and jumping events. Dyksen, who placed fourth individually last year in the triple jump at the state meet, was one of the key athletes in the NJIC win and is excited to share this win with her team. She said, “The team worked really hard. Going into it, we knew we had a chance, and everyone pulled together and made it happen.”

Schell continued to say that he has high hopes for his team’s performance late in the season, including having high expectations for sophomores Kaitlyn Salisbury, Sherika Dyer, and the relay team, to make it to the Meet of Champs.

Schell also added that in track, the ultimate competitor is oneself. He wants his girls to break their own personal records, but more importantly, be proud of their athletic accomplishments.

Without a doubt, this season, Schell’s team is making Hawthorne proud.