Xander Salazar, a familiar face on the WCS Track and Field team for the past two years, is driven by speed. Specializing in the 4×100 relay and the 100-meter dash, he finds his motivation in the rush of winning and the promise of a well-deserved meal afterwards. “Endurance training,” he says, “is the biggest hurdle.” However, the thought of that post-race Chipotle keeps him pushing through.
Mrs. Marshall has been a big supporter of the track team and stepped into the role of coach this year. Her love for the sport was sparked by her previous experience as a high school track runner, she identifies the mental aspect of the sport as its greatest challenge. “Mentally preparing yourself to run can be difficult; sometimes getting into that mindset is tough,” she explains. Another significant factor is remembering to stay hydrated between events. Mrs. Marshall motivates her athletes by encouraging them to focus on personal improvement. “It’s easy to compare yourself to others,” she says, “focus on getting better in your own times and events.” In the track world, Mrs. Marshall looks up to Olympic runners Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin. During her high school years, her role models were Florence Griffith-Joyner and Michael Johnson. A particularly rewarding moment for her was witnessing the long-distance runners giving their all, even under the pressure of being the first event in the track meet, the 4×800 meter relay. When asked what superpower would be most helpful in her coaching, Mrs. Marshall wished for a turbo boost at the end of a race.
