BHS Enjoys Indoor Track

When most people think of Track and Field, they think springtime and warm weather.  For the Indoor Track Team at Broadway High School, that isn’t the case.  This team practices in the cold and competes inside.  For the first full season since the opening of the Rockingham Recreation Center, they can do so right here in Rockingham County rather than traveling hours away for an indoor track meet.

Head Coach Al Ruliffson from Broadway High School says, “Having the ability to practice at the Recreation Center and compete in local meets has had a huge impact on our local teams from the four district high schools.  The number of athletes participating in indoor track has gone from 25-30 athletes per team to around 50 across the county.  Being able to practice indoors a few days a week during the cold winter months has definitely made a difference in our ability to prepare for competition.  When temperatures drop, or we have winter storms and the track is covered with snow, we now have an option to hold practices.  Additionally, having the opportunity to compete in so many meets locally, as opposed to having to travel hours away to colleges in Lexington or Lynchburg every week, has also made a huge difference.”

Junior Sprinter Anna Brubaker says, “Having the indoor track has made training much simpler, faster, and way less stressful.  It has also made it much easier for parents and friends to come and support the team on meet days.”

Whether practicing inside or out, Broadway’s Boys team has been highly competitive this season.  The team is led by returners Uriah Rutan, Gavin Ryman, and Darnell Vandevander (sprints), Peyton Allen, Max Fletcher, Andrew Berkey, and Lee Souder (distance), Rylee Shifflett, Jacob Romero, and Ryland Branner (pole vault), and Jacob Berkey and Alejandro Salinas (throws).  Other contributors include Landon Fox, Jaxen Phillips, Kio Velazquez, Deshawn Barb, David Miller, Kevin Lobo-Ayala, Hu Cheshire, and Jayden Harner.  On the Girls’ side, the team is led by upperclassmen Sarenna Lapp, Kendall Carter, and Ava Custer (throws), and Anna Brubaker (sprints).  What the girls lack in numbers, they make up for in tenacity.  Ruliffson describes Brubaker and Lapp as “some of the best leaders I’ve seen since I’ve been at BHS.  When they talk, everyone listens.”

Rutan (55M, 300m, and 500m), Allen (3200m), and Fletcher (100m)  have all qualified to run in the State Championship meet, and Rutan has already set several school records in his Senior season.  One of the top sprinters in the state, Rutan reflects on his teammates, saying, “This has been the most growth I have seen from a team in all four years of running. The potential for upcoming seasons is through the roof.” 

The team has also had contributions from numerous freshmen, including Alejandro Osorio, Caleb Combs, Dana Phillips, Layne Haggerty, Mason Tinnell, Jude Crosby, Joey Ruliffson, Quinn Finnegan, Curtis Custer, Jacob Channell, and Ashby Richards on the boys’ side, and Matea Wenger, Brooklyn Layman, Meredith Petrie, and Amarissa Reinsford for the girls.  Coach Ruliffson says that one of the biggest benefits of having local facilities has been the ability to allow these younger athletes to compete this season.  In the past, younger athletes have had limited opportunities to participate in meets during the indoor track season.  Many would only have one or two chances the entire season; however, this year, local meets on Wednesdays have provided county schools a chance to enter more athletes, thus allowing younger athletes to participate.  “In terms of building track programs for the future, allowing more freshmen and sophomores to compete and gain experience now will have huge benefits in the future,” says Ruliffson.

Assistant Coach Arianna Eberly describes the whole team as a “dedicated crew.”  She adds, “They work hard and have great attitudes. You can see that they appreciate every opportunity they have to step on the track.”

Junior Peyton Allen sums up Indoor Track by saying, “Training and competing indoors with my teammates has been rewarding, and the energy in the group keeps everyone motivated, even on cold, early mornings or long practices after school.  We’ve built a real trust and camaraderie, which shows up when we cheer each other on during races, or off the track as well.”

Photos courtesy of Debbie Milby.