For many underclassmen, the thought of making varsity seems far fetched and unrealistic, especially if they haven’t actually participated  in the activity prior. Sophomores Taylor Shelton and Gabby Imperial achieved the seemingly unachievable by making varsity girl hurdles.

“I think they made varsity because they’re super talented and beastly,” senior hurlde veteran Darryenne Small said.
Though this is Shelton and Imperial’s first year running hurdles, this is not their first year in track and field.  In Shelton’s freshman year, she did pole vaulting which she found “interesting”, but not for her. In Imperial’s freshman year, she participated in high and long jump.

“I did jumping in middle school,” Imperial said. My coach recommended that I do it. I was so nervous about not hitting the mark and not doing my best.”

Even though Shelton and Imperial run the same events and compete with each other in the 300  and 100’s hurdles as well as high and long jump, they are still close friends and put the competition aside to see track and field as more of a team effort.

“She’s a very good runner and I know she’ll push me to do my best and I’ll push her to do hers,” Shelton said. “And after the meet, we’ll jump around and congratulate each other and not be sour like rivals would.”

For Imperial and Shelton, their success in varsity as Shelton describes as “intimidating” has caused the sophomores to look forward to next year’s underclassmen in hopes to help them find their own way as they have.

“[Next year I’ll tell them] to never give up and always do their best because you never know what can happen,” Imperial said.