For the fifth year in a row, the track and field team at Sacred Heart of Jesus High School celebrated their undefeated five-peat Horizon League Championship title.
The team’s hard work, which began in January, paid off May 4, when they became the undefeated Horizon League Champions. Their athletic diligence allowed them to step on the starting line each week to proudly represent their school at races that lead them to a dominating season.
The student athletes trained six days of the week, getting workouts in before and after school. But keeping their grades up was just as important to the students. “We work tirelessly in the classroom to keep our grades up so we are eligible to compete every week,” says sophomore Stephanie Ramirez, junior captain on the team.
The four other competing schools included Ramona Convent, San Gabriel Mission, Alverno High School and Holy Family High School.
Sacred Heart students were able to sweep 22 of the 39 possible All League Awards, while also winning another 10 of the 13 event League Champions.
Elizabeth Hernandez, a senior and team captain, holds the school record for the 800-meter race at 2:26, as well as a spot on the 4x400 relay team with a school record of 4:25.95. Next year, Hernandez will pursue a running career at the University of California, Riverside.
Another track and field team captain, Gabriela Buelna, will pursue running at Cal Poly Pomona. She said, “My experience with the running programs at Sacred Heart have shaped me into the leader I am today. Discipline, teamwork and leadership is what track and cross country have taught me.”
