Most athletes continue their athletic career from middle school to high school. However, Varsity senior Marc Gillespie took a year off.

“I started running track in sixth grade but did not start high school track until sophomore year,” Gillespie said.

Track and field athletes can participate in up to four events per meet. Gillespie runs in the 110 meter high hurdles, 300 meter low hurdles, 4 x 200 meter relay and the 4×400 meter relay. Just like any other athlete, Gillespie prefers one event over the other.

“My favorite event is the hurdles, especially the 100 meter highs,” Gillespie said.

At ACHS, there are two track seasons, indoor and outdoor.

“I prefer outdoor track because I have long legs and can build up my speed from my strides, and that is harder to do on an indoor track with more turns,” Gillespie said.

It’s crucial to take many different steps to prepare for a track meet.

“The night before a meet, I carb load so I have lots of energy for all four events,” Gillespie said. “However, the day of a meet I typically don’t eat much food. I stretch a lot in general for the hurdles outside of practice in order to prepare.”

As of right now, Gillespie does not know if he will be running track in college, but he does not think that it is very likely.