The Eaton High School track team started their season off strong at the Murray Kula Invitational. It took place on March 15, 2025, at Windsor High School and marked the beginning of a successful track season. The meet showcased a high level of competition, but many Eaton athletes achieved personal records (PRs), and several placed in their events. 

Head coach Jaryn Guerra said, “This is one of the most competitive meets that we run in, so to perform so well this early on in the season is really exciting.” Athletes who have run in this meet before understand how intense the competition is. Vince Garcia (27) said, “I knew it was going to be a good meet, and I knew it was going to be kind of difficult with 4A and 5A schools being there.”

Although her jumping performance wasn’t what she hoped for, McKenzie Powell (25), set a new PR in the 100 meters and secured seventh place in the long jump with a mark of 15 feet, 5.5 inches. Powell said, “I’m just really excited for this year, and I’m excited for the underclassmen and helping them reach a point that they feel confident for the next years when I won’t be here to help them.” Powell advises new runners that “it’s not always about the times and the scores you get, but about how your body feels and how you feel with your teammates.” 

Looking ahead, the team’s goals are clear. While the ultimate aim is to win a state championship, individual progress is also essential. Guerra said, “But on a smaller level, I just like to see kids meet their goal and get PRs and be excited about improving. It would be really cool to win league, but at the end of the day, track is just about getting better and meeting your own personal goals, and if every kid does that, the team will succeed.” With a young team, Guerra emphasized that as the athletes continue to train and adapt to the challenges of track, improvement will naturally follow. 

With a strong start and a focus on personal growth, the track team is assured of a promising season ahead.