Nearing the Finish Line:
Track and Field Sophomores Think About Their Next Step
Dietz and Sager are two of the four sophomores on the team who have been recognized as “captains.” They all work to set strong examples for freshmen on the team.
This track season is fully underway, and four of the sophomores on the team have shared taking on the role of “captain,” acting as leaders during practice, giving support to fellow teammates and helping out wherever possible. Their coach recognizes them as true team players.
All smiles after another practice on the track. Dietz and Sager will continue running track as they transfer to another school.
James Jasperson
Jasperson is one of the few sophomores on the track and field team here at EvCC. Since the young age of four, Jasperson has been competing in track. His father is an avid runner, who continues to run to this day. Running is a family affair in his house.
Next year, Jasperson plans on transferring to Western Washington University to continue competing in track and study Kinesiology. His dream, “I mean, professional runner, professional athlete, that would be the best thing in the world, but if that weren’t to happen, to be a firefighter and to own a gym or some kind of fitness aspect on the side.”
This has been a rough season for Jasperson, though. He has suffered through injury, and had to watch all of his fellow teammates run without him. Despite his injury, he says his favorite memory from this season has been watching his teammates improve, get faster and succeed.
The sophomores on the team say they are a close group of teammates and friends. At practice they push each other to be better and faster.
Hank Strom
Strom is another sophomore on the EvCC track team. Strom began running when he was a Junior in high school. Now in just his fourth year of track, Strom believes to be ranked twelfth in his section.
Next year, Strom plans on transferring to Central Washington University, where he will continue competing in track. There, he plans to study Nutrition or Environmental Science, maybe even a combination of the two.
Balancing track and school can be hard, but Strom said that “Once you get in the groove of things, it’s not too bad.”
This has been a good season so far according to Strom, but his favorite memories are not competing. Instead he said, “Probably just hanging out with the guys at meets,” surround some of his favorite memories from track at EvCC.
Stephen Dietz and Kyler Sager, sophomores on the EvCC track and field team, warming up for their early morning practice. The sophomores on the team are dedicated, they spend time working out when not at practice as much as possible.
Stephen Dietz
Dietz has been on the track team the longest out of these four; this is his third year on the team. He began track his junior year in high school, with the help of some friends. Not too long after joining, he realized he really enjoyed running.
So far this season has been going really well, Dietz said, “Pretty much every single race this year have been turning out really well…When I was in the race I was making a lot of good moves and figuring out how people are making their kicks and just kinda moving around…”
Next year, Dietz plans on transferring to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where he will continue running for the track and cross country. This year, Dietz will be graduating with his Aerospace Transfer Degree.
Over the years, Dietz has had many great memories from being on the track and field team, but his favorite is from his freshman year when they won the NWAC Championships.
Kyler Sager
Around the track they go, pushing their boundaries and getting better. Their coach describes them as true team players, who are great role models for the rest of the team.
Sager’s running career began in seventh grade, now as a sophomore at EvCC, he continues to compete in track and field. Most of his family, including both of his parents, competed in track during high school.
Next year, Sager plans on transferring to Western Washington University, along with Jasperson, where he will continue competing in track. There, he plans on studying Business Finance, in hopes of pursuing a career in real estate finance or development. At the age of 14, Sager began helping his father’s construction company, and since then has had an interest in construction.
Like many of his fellow teammates, Sager’s favorite memories of being on the track team here at EvCC have been hanging out with the team. One of his favorite moments this season was attending the meet in Spokane, which he says has been his best meet yet.
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