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Calvary’s track and field team is headed to the GHSA State Championships at the University of Georgia after a season built around one simple goal, getting athletes to believe they belonged in track.

Out of around 40 athletes on the team this season, 11 qualified to compete at state on Wednesday, marking a huge accomplishment for a program that has continued to grow over the past year.

Coach Alex Modicue said many of the athletes came into the season as multi-sport players who had never seriously considered running track before.

“A lot of them didn’t think they could do track,” Modicue said. “The goal was really just to introduce them to the sport, get them to improve every week and see if they would enjoy it.”

That approach quickly changed the culture around the team.

Practices ran from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., but no two days looked exactly the same. Since many athletes competed in different events, workouts were split into groups for runners, throwers, jumpers and relay competitors.

Athletes trained with a focus on improving every week and reaching their goals.

Because several athletes also played spring sports like soccer, practices required extra responsibility outside of team workouts. Modicue said multi-sport athletes were expected to stay committed to both sports and complete workouts on their own if they missed parts of practice.

“If you went to soccer practice, you still had work to do,” Modicue explained. “Maybe you had to work on your blocks later or come in and practice relay handoffs on Fridays.”

That accountability helped the team improve throughout the season, especially in relay events and sprint competitions.

Among the athletes competing at state is Emerson Lewis, who qualified in the 100-meter dash and as part of the 4x100-meter relay team.

Marlon Knight Jr. qualified for state in both the long jump and high jump, showing consistency and dedication in the field events.

One of the team’s busiest competitors is Makayla Modicue, who qualified in four separate events: the long jump, 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and 4x100-meter relay.

Even with all the individual events, Modicue constantly reminded his athletes that track is not always about beating another person.

“You’re not really running against the other person,” he told the team throughout the season. “You’re running against time.”

That mindset became a major focus for the program. Instead of only comparing themselves to other schools, athletes focused on improving their personal records each week. Whether it was shaving time off a sprint or adding distance to a jump, progress became the team’s biggest motivator.

For Modicue, one of the most rewarding parts of the season has been seeing athletes truly enjoy the sport.

“A lot of kids thought running was punishment,” Modicue said. “Now they’re excited about their times, excited about getting better and excited to come to practice.”

Calvary’s trip to state feels like more than just a successful season. It feels like the beginning of something bigger for the Cavaliers track and field program.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Calvary Day School Athletics Department

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