The men’s 2016 varsity track team season has come to an end and Head Coach Kurt Hasenstein believes the men met their goal of having a successful season.

Hasenstein said that the majority of the success this season came from senior leadership. Hasenstein thinks that the seniors’ ability to “raise the bar” during competition is what has brought them great success.

“What I’m really impressed with is our senior class and how much they have stepped up,” Hassenstein said. “Some of the kids there have made some huge improvements to make us competitive this year.”

Along with a dedicated work ethic, there were 18 seniors that have been in the track program all four of their years at South, according to Hasenstein.

Patrick Doumitt, senior shot put and discus thrower, is one of key players who have been a great asset to the team and contributes and with his strength rather than speed, according to Hassenstein.

Doumitt says, “I’m kind of a captain figure for a lot of the throwers, because we’re so different from everybody else. We’re just the strong kids that don’t run as much.”

There are numerous key players and captains that have taken the men’s track team above and beyond, according to Doumitt and Hasenstein.

“[Senior] Bobby Wos is an unbelievable pole vaulter along with [senior] Kevin Halloran,” Doumitt said. “[Senior] Gavin Cernick is an unbelievable high jumper and runner. [Wos] is a captain along with [seniors] Jimmy Lustic, [and] Will Villflor.”

Along with the hard work ethic that the members of the track and field team bring, part of their success is due to the culture and mindset that they have, according to Hasenstein.

“I’ve heard from other coaches, ‘man you guys never practice on Saturdays.’ […] well first of all we’re in track from January all the way until the end of May,” Hasenstein said. “I think it is very valuable [for our members] to, one, maybe have a part-time job, two, to spend some time with their family or sleep in or relax. Most of the coaches all have families themselves [too].”