As track concludes the indoor season, the team looks to add to the long history of athletic success at Mount Carmel.

Indoor track held its Chicago Catholic League final on March 19 at the University of Chicago.  Sophomore Verdis Brown won the shot put competition and qualified for the state finals at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois. Brown, the only underclassmen who qualified for the state meet, finished second out of a field of eleven.  He outshot six seniors and three juniors who had also qualified.

As the team transitions to the outdoor season, several coaches are thrilled at the team that has been assembled.  The team is led by senior Tyrin Thurman, who is dealing with a lower body injury.  In the meantime, junior Michael Catanzaro leads by example, showing up everyday to work.  Head varsity track coach Daniel Burke is glad he has someone like this on the team. “He has an amazing work ethic that is good for the younger kids.”

Catanzaro is excited to get the outdoor track season underway, which begins April 7 at the Hillcrest Invitational. “I’m expecting a lot out of the team this year. Obviously with Thurman out, it hurts, but the frosh/soph team has shown they can win.”  The team is setting its sights on at least a sectional title, and also looks to qualify a large number of individuals for state.

Younger students will need to step up this year for the Caravan because the injury bug has taken its toll, claiming several victims including Thurman. According to fellow track coach Adam Nissen, this should not be an issue.  “The frosh/soph team actually beat the varsity team in our last indoor event.”  Their performance has given the club a lot of hope for the future.  “The team is very young, but they all show up and do what needs to be done.”