The Hall Boys Track and Field Program has amassed 180 athletes and are looking even better than ever.

The nine time defending state champions are seeking their 10th consecutive state title, despite losing many top athletes from the graduated class of 2021. The team is coming off of an Indoor Track season in which four school records were set, and are looking to set even more records this coming spring. The team is spearheaded by a handful of college commits that contribute both individually but especially in the relays, something that Hall has made a name for themselves in recent years. Last year’s national level 4×100 team graduated all 4 of its members and yet, the 2022 4×100 team composed of one junior and three sophomores ran a time of 43.21 seconds breaking the 4×100 school record. The team is led by head coach Jeff Billing and assistant coaches Michael Lage, Everett Hackett, and Scott Sampietro. In just the last year the team has added numerous coaches, each with a specific focus in lifting, jumping, and throwing.

Despite all recent success and growth, the team has not always been such a strong program. Prior to 2017, Hall only had one track state championship win for track and field.  Since then, they have won an incredible nine state championships. In recent years, the growth of the team has continued. Since 2019, the team has increased from 146 athletes to its current total of more than 180. Everett Hackett, hall alumni and current assistant coach, was a member of the track team from 2004 – 2008 when there were only 70 or so boys on the team.  He attributes the team’s growth to the fact that  “the atmosphere of the team is more driven. I think there’s more people on the team going for goals in track and field than there were when I was on the team.”  Despite this driven team and environment, “it’s just a fun group to be a part of ” Everett says.

Coach Lage said, “When you enjoy something in life you are usually willing to work hard and contribute to the greater good,” to explain what has driven the growth of the team. Overall, the team has seen significant growth and improvement over the last year due to the environment created and embraced by athletes and coaches.

While racing championships and winning meets is certainly the dream of many who join Hall’s track team, other people are drawn to it due to the atmosphere and vibe. The team is filled with “a real positive team culture or a family atmosphere and I think everyone feels a part of the team and enjoys coming to practice every day,” says coach Lage.  As much pride as the team has for its championships, a core value that the coaches stress to the team is to run at your own personal level. They talk about the goal of the sport is just to get better for you personally. The slowest person on the team can feel just as much success as the fastest person if he is able to beat his own personal record. “It’s a very good community in terms of setting goals and trying to achieve those goals,” says assistant coach Everett Hackett. “When you’re a part of something like that it’s really fun.”

The Hall boys track team has a culture like no other. When Hall goes to a track meet almost everyone else knows who they are. They have a reputation not just as a good team, but as a team that is respectable and that does almost everything right. As captain Tyler Bach said, “I have never seen a group of more than 170 high school boys get so excited over just a few people running around a circle or throwing a weight besides this team.” Bach also said he believes the success comes with a bit of luck. “I think it’s partially just a lucky combination of really special people. The coaches and athletes of the past and present have all worked in a tandem to create what we are today, and I think I speak for everyone when I say I’m really grateful for that.” The group’s success has played a huge role in the growth of the team. A handful of boys are headed down to the well known Penn Relays the weekend of April 30 in hopes of running some fast times. Their season continues throughout May, with the goal of winning yet another state title on May 31.