At Saint Louis School, the Track and Field team continues to grow each year Coach Alexander (Alika) Fonseca is very excited for this year’s track season. “Every year I get excited because I see more and more guys coming out and working hard.” At the beginning of each season, Coach Fonseca sees kids come out to realize their talent as e Track and Field athletes. Most student-athletes think Track and Field are easy if they are able to run short distances. Little do they know, it’s not as easy as it looks. 

“Track is not an easy sport, a lot of guys come out and say ‘Oh, I want to run 100 meters’, and then we got to do the training for whatever the 100 meter is; and then they start doing and they say, ‘Oh man, I thought I was only going to do the 100 m.” Many students try and fail at the track because it’s too hard, but for Vu Nguyen and William Reed, working hard is their specialty. 

Vu Nguyen is also a Football player, participates in Judo, a Basketball player, as well as a Track and Field athlete. The past season of Track and Field for Nguyen was a challenge, having come in close contact with someone with COVID which cut his season significantly short, allowing  Nguyen to compete in just two events. 

Despite this bump in the road, Nguyen was able to qualify for the ILH championships. “I was only able to go to two meets last season because I was in contact with someone that tested positive, but I was very blessed that I qualified for ILH [Championships] for the long jump event. I placed 4th jumping my current pr (a personal record) of 20.5.5,” explains Nguyen. For Nguyen, this 2022 season will be his last season as a graduating senior at Saint Louis School, and he is planning to make this season, his best year. Nguyen’s goals for the season include an ILH championship, the State Champion, and achieving a new personal record in the long jump of 22 meters in his senior season. 

Although there’s a big road ahead for Nguyen, he is focused on achieving his list of goals. After realizing his first-place finish in the ILH division for the long jump, he is seeded 7th in the state for the long jump and  8th in the State for the triple jump. “I’m all-ILH first team for the long and triple jump and I’m ranked 7th in them for long jump and 8th in the States for triple jump.” However, Nguyen is not the only one looking to be a state Champion. 

William Reed is a Track and Field athlete and a wide receiver for the Crusaders. Reed joined Saint Louis School as a Sophomore, transferring from Mid-Pacific Institute. Reed wasn’t able to compete in Track and Field in his Sophomore year due to ILH transfer rules. Unable to compete in his Sophomore year, Reed has big dreams for his Junior season. “My goal this year is to run a 10.5 second 100 m and a 51 second 400 m,” says Reed. Having only two years left to compete in his High School career Reed is hungry for that State Title. 

Along with these two promising Track and Field runners, as a team, the Crusaders have a fighting chance. “I have a good feeling about our roster this season. We have players that can place at least top three at almost every single event that we’re competing in,” notes Nguyen. Coach Fonseca and the Crusader Track team are looking to seize the ILH and State Championship titles. Only time will tell if the Crusaders will place in the State Championships. When asking Reed if the Crusaders can win the ILH and State Championships he came up with a strong yet simple quote, “Indubitably.”