For Aidon Lett his thoughts are simple.
“You just have to take a deep breath and know that you trained for this. They have you in this event for a reason,” stated Lett.
Last year the Penn-Trafford track and field team had the best season to date ending the regular season with a 5-1 record and a fourth place finish at WPIALs. Part of this success came from then junior twins Aidon and Ekoulus Lett, who placed second at WPIALs in the 4×400 relay and earned a trip to states where they placed 16th.
Now as seniors, the two are hoping to be a part of the most successful team the P-T track and field team has ever put forward with the goal of ending the season with a state run.
“I am trying to place for states this year,” stated Ekoulus Lett.
Heading into this year’s competition most of the roster has returned with the exception of Matthew Sarnowski, who is now in his freshman season at Penn State University as a thrower.
“Other than Sarnowski, all of our point scorers have returned, and some people have filled in gaps that we had last year,” stated head track coach Eric Reger.
In anticipation of having their best season yet, the Letts completed a pre-season training program this year. This was their first year training pre-season, and the two of them believe that it will help to contribute to their best season.
EKOULUS LETT (far left) set a school record for the 300 hurdles on April 7 with a time of 33.1 seconds.
“When we first started, I am going to be honest, there really was not really any competition and then last year everyone kind of blew up,” stated Ekoulus Lett. “I knew I needed to start training now because everyone is blowing up and I need to do the same.”
Both of the Letts compete in the 110 meter hurdles, 300 meters hurdles and 4×400 meter relay. Ekoulus also competes in long jump, the only event they do separately.
The Letts have been participating in track and field for six years.
“I feel like I have always been faster than most people so I decided to give it a try because why not start,” stated Ekoulus Lett.
Since then they have grown to become great leaders and mentors for the P-T track team.
“[Aidon and Ekoulus] are team captains and they have been leaders in terms of work ethic for a couple years now,” stated Reger. “They are great examples for people to follow.”
Other returning leaders are seniors Jake McGee, Matthew Alaia and Thomas Cheplick.
In total, the boys track and field team has 50 boys on their roster while the girls have 38. Some returning girls to look out for include juniors Hanna Weishaar, Olivia Weishhar and Anna Coy.
Between the two teams, P-T competes in 18 events each meet with the overall team taking the win if they score enough points in each event to beat their competition.
As of publication, the boy’s team’s record is 3-1 against four different schools and their next match is against Hempfield Area and Indiana on April 15 at 2 p.m at Hempfield Area High School.
Reger has some high expectations for the team this year, in part due to their great season last year.
“We have the same if not better expectations this year,” stated Reger.
On top of the team expectations Reger also has some expectations for the Letts heading into their final year.
“Our relay, which Aidon and Ekoulus are a part of, wants to go to states again and win WPIALs,” stated Reger. “Also, both of them want to make it to states in their individual events.”
It appears that the Letts will be able to uphold these expectations, as on April 7 at a home meet against Greensburg Salem and Greater Latrobe, Ekoulus Lett set a school record for the 300 hurdles with a time of 39.1 seconds.
For updates on the Letts and the rest of the P-T track and field team, check out the P-T athletics X (Twitter) page at @PTWarriors or the P-T athletics website, https://ptwarriors.org/.
By Mia Williams, Managing Editor