This Tuesday, March 21, the track team performed in the coed relays. The coed relays have been run for years at Harrisonburg High School, with schools around the area participating. Being an annual event, it gives the runners and those who perform field events something to look forward to at the beginning of each season.

During the meet, boys and girls run together on the same relay team (normally not allowed in varsity meets) in events such as the 4×100, 4×200, 4×400, distance medley relay and the sprint medley relay. Towards the end of the meet, there is an opportunity for those who do field events to take part in the fun. There is a special shot-putter relay, that all the athletes from all the teams come to watch and cheer on.

Junior Isaiah King, a distance runner for the Streaks, participated in the 4×800 relay, the boys triple jump and the coed 4×400 relay. He loves the opportunity to take part in these meets.

“It’s a great first meet of the season to one, compete, but two, have a fun time and enjoy the privilege to run these rare relays,” King said in an interview by phone.

For the sprinters as well, the meet was a unique experience. 

Junior Johan Roqueta ran the anchor leg in the sprint medley relay, which finished second. He appreciates the opportunity to be able to run at this meet.

“It’s amazing to be able to run at the Co-ed Classic meet. You’re honoring Harrisonburg by running at the meet,” Roqueta said. “We put in a lot of work in practice. We tried every day to push each other. It payed off here at the meet. I just have to be thankful for our coaches and our teammates.”

Junior Sydney Harper ran in the 4×200 relay and attributes her fun experience to her teammates.

“Track really is a team sport, even [if] in the events you’re running individually. They support you during practice and cheer you on when you run,” Harper said. “There’s even more of a team aspect during relays because your teammates are relying on you to perform well.”

With the coed relay wrapped up to be opened again next year, the track team has a full season ahead of them and will face them one meet at a time. The next track meet will be on Saturday, April 1 at Woodberry Forest School.