By: Michelle Hernandez & Yanely Medina

One of the largest athletic programs at Granada Hills Charter (GHC), with over 100 student-athletes, is track and field. The team spans all grade levels, but this year’s roster is led by a strong group of seniors who help shape the program’s performance and culture.
Training is no small commitment with the track and field team. Athletes practice six days a week, balancing speed workouts, endurance training and time in the weight room. Practices run after school from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., whether it’s pouring rain or extreme heat.
But athletes don’t stay for the workouts alone. It is the team that makes the track and field team keep coming back. When tryouts come around, Coach Johnny Wiley does his best to choose athletes that are not only willing to put in the work but also to create a friendly environment.
“I feel like having such a strong sense of community that I’ve started out with since freshman year has inspired me to be a better friend and teammate,” senior and captain Isobelle Zambranos said.
That sense of community translates into success on the track. This season GHC has competed in meets such as Mt. SAC Relays, Don Green Invitational, and West Valley League Championships with standout performances from athletes like seniors Sophia Battle and Timothy Wyatt.
The team has also achieved two school records including Elias Smith jumping 6’7 in the high jump. Senior Samantha Pachecco and sophomores Mia Abrego, Elena Medrano, and Trinidad Montenegro, distance runners, also broke a record at the Mt. SAC relays. These new records reflect both individual growth and collective effort.
Even though track and field is often seen as individual sports, the GHC team proves otherwise. On the hottest days, after a bad race and during some of the worst workouts, these athletes always rely on their teammates to be there.
Coach Wiley is supported by a strong group of senior captains, many of whom have been part of the program all four years. Each year Coach Wiley carefully selects leaders who not only perform well but also uplift those around them.
”Being a captain has made this year more special because having a large group of students look up to me is very heartwarming,” senior and captain Joseph Rivetti said. “It makes me want to show up everyday and continue making an impact on them.”
The seniors on the team play an essential role as upperclassmen and role models for the younger athletes. Many strong friendships are made among the seniors with every grade level, some that feel like family bonds, or even best friends.
“I’ve learned that surrounding yourself with people who challenge you helps you grow, and my team definitely brings out the best in me,” junior Ethan Gonzales said.
As the season continues and graduation approaches, many athletes begin to feel the weight of limited time together. Oftentimes, athletes are so focused on competing and having fun that they don’t realize how fast the time is going by. In a blink of an eye it’s May and everyone is wishing they had more time with their friends before they leave.
Although the end of the school year brings change, the team isn’t slowing down just yet. With CIF-LA City Section Championships ahead, the GHC track and field team continues to compete at a high level, representing the school with pride.
As the season winds down, take the time to support the team and recognize their work and dedication that makes them more than just a sport, but a community.