Five Johnnies to compete in DIII national track and field meet

The St. John’s indoor track and field squad is getting ready for the biggest meet of the year: the Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. Taking place at the Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y., the Johnnies are sending their best to compete Friday and Saturday. Representing SJU are first-year Max Reis and seniors Max Lelwica, Jackson McDowell, Zach Schaffer and Anthony Thurk. The excitement and anticipation for the Johnnies is palpable as the major competition approaches.

“Kind of the ‘end game,’ I guess,” Lelwica said about what participating in nationals means to him. “That’s the goal that’s what we’ve been working for kind of all year. It’s the best of the best in Division III and I’m honored to be able to go.”

As a first-year, Reis is experiencing it all for the first time.

“I think of ‘excitement.’ It’s a lot of new things, you know? Going to New York, the best competition and staying in an Airbnb with the team — it’s fun, it’s exciting,” Reis said.

The athletes said the indoor track and field season can be a long and tiring one and athletes often have to balance the physical and mental aspects of the game.

“Just having a short memory, like forgetting quickly whether it’s good or bad; kind of not letting that get to your head,” Schaffer said, sharing his key to having a balanced mental health in a long season.

Thurk said he chose to approach the season with a calm and relaxed attitude to balance the stress of competing.

“I’ve … taken a more relaxed approach to this season by not worrying about when I haven’t done well, and I just focused on the good things that have happened in meets,” Thurk said via email.

This season has included a handful of proudful moments for the team. For an outsider, some moments seem miniscule. To the seniors who have put in a lot of effort for themselves and each other, each moment is important.

“Just getting to be with my roommates, we all have the same coach, and practices every day; we’re enjoying our last year with it. It’s just something you know you’re going to miss,” Schaffer said, looking back on his proudest takeaway from the indoor season.

McDowell reflected on his time rooming with Schaffer and how close the team is to each other.

“Watching a lot of us live together, watching the success of a lot of the teammates, and a lot of good PR’s this year. I feel like this year there’s been a lot of school records tied, and school records broken, so it’s really cool to see the success of a lot of people on the team,” McDowell said.

The Johnnie squad said they all had their own personal obstacles they dealt with this season.

“One challenge for me would just be getting back into track. I took a gap year and a half, so I won’t say it’s been super challenging to get back, but just to get going it takes a bit,” Reis mentions on returning back to track and field after taking a hiatus from the sport.

Confidently through his faith, Lelwica brings up how he turned a disappointing outing into an opportunity where he can compete with his teammates in the indoor events one final time.

“I was pretty devastated after that conference meeting just because I wanted to do well for the team, and that was hard, but now we’re back we’re here at nationals, so we’ll see what we can do,” Lelwica said. “Thankfully, [through] the grace of God, I was able to make it and compete again the next weekend and put up a good [result].”

As the rest of the St. John’s track and field team start their transition of moving to the outdoor season, the five Johnnies are set to head to New York on Thursday.