Beachwood’s indoor track team had another remarkable season with numerous state qualifying runners and several relay teams winning medals. 

“Our team did very well overall this season,” senior Co-Captain Henrik Burda said. 

The girls 4x200m relay team of K’Dyn Harris-Tate, Marley Readance, Meena Abdul-Basser and Kyrsten Ginn won first place at the Indoor State Championship on March 7-8 at Spire Institute.

Luke Warner was a runner-up in long jump as was Meena Abdul-Basser in the 400m run. 

The team also had state placements in girls and boys 200m, and boys 800m, 4x800m and 4x400m. 

Burda explained what makes Beachwood’s relays so strong.

“The strength of our relays comes from the rigorous and insightful training of our coaches, and the strong bond our teammates have,” Burda said. “Many of us run faster than usually possible in our relay races because we know our relay teammates depend on us.”

Asst. Coach Jamie Lader elaborated on the team’s strong legacy. 

“It has been a very successful program for several years,” Lader said. “We have been fortunate to have had some outstanding runners pass through BHS in the past several years, and this has allowed the team to be very successful.”

Coaches play a vital role in the sport. 

Burda highlighted just how important Beachwood’s track coaches are in contributing to the major successes of this season.

“The two coaches I communicate most closely with are Coach Lader and Coach Smith,” he said. “They are always working hard to make sure every runner is doing their best work and getting the training they need.” 

Burda explained that Coach Smith cares a lot about his runners, and his insight on pacing and relay race exchanges is invaluable for the team.

Lader has recently taken on the responsibility of full-time coaching the distance team after Assistant Coach Sherman retired.

Lader explained how he supports runners to reach their potential.

“There is so much value in teaching patience and how to be proud of yourself unconditionally,” he said. “We are asking these athletes to push themselves to their absolute limit, and this takes lots of hard-work and determination.”

Lader also emphasized the importance of qualities such as patience and pride.

Burda explained the exhilaration that comes with success in track. 

“It’s always exciting when a runner achieves a personal record in their event or sees great improvement in their times,” he said. “We have seen a lot of that this season.”

Moving into the spring season, athletes are working hard to improve skills. 

“Our relays are putting a lot of emphasis on baton exchanges,” Burda said. “As the races get more competitive, it becomes increasingly valuable to save what time we can on the transfer between one relay runner to the next.” 

Beachwood’s first track meet of the spring season was held in Painesville on Saturday, March 29th and many relays as well as individual runners won medals. 

“It was definitely a great kick-off to our outdoor track season, and a sign that a lot more is yet to come,” Burda said. 

This spring should be full of talent, especially in the distance team. 

Junbo Wang, Dirck Van Tassel, Peter Adobamen, and Nolan Walsh will be attempting to break our school records in the 4x800m and Distance Medley Relay. 

Sasha Kheyfets and Dirck Van Tassel are also on track for records in their individual distance events: the two mile and the mile.

Coach Lader expressed the ultimate goal for the season.

“All athletes and coaches need to continue to work to be their very best and to try and get better and better with each coming week,” he said.

“It’s going to be a very exciting season, and definitely worth the trip to come watch these amazing runners outkick the competition,” Burda said.