South Boys’ Varsity Track and Field celebrated a new school 1,600 meter run record for the indoor season by sophomore Ryan Taylor, Kurt Hasenstein, Varsity Boys’ Track and Field Head Coach said.

Taylor broke the previous indoor 1,600 meter track record of 4.38 minutes with a time of 4.35.17 minutes at an indoor track meet on March 8. This time is very impressive, especially for a sophomore in high school, Hasenstein explained. A D1 runner will run a sub 4.23 minutes; Ryan is chasing the path to success.

“He was a good runner and he [has] become very, very good,” Hasenstein said. “He is up there with the best of them in the league.”

As well as being on varsity track and field, Taylor is a key player on the varsity cross country team. Over the summer, Taylor pushed himself to the limits reaching farther distances and faster paces, Hasenstein said.

“He started pushing himself and running with varsity cross country runners,” Hasenstein explained. “He really just got out of his comfort zone and took a big jump to the chain.”

Taylor stands out on the team as a quiet leader, Hasenstein said. He may be introverted but he never turns down a challenge and is always willing to try his best.

“Where he stands out is his work ethic and his ability to challenge himself,” Hasenstein said. “Kids recognize he is not afraid to get in there and mix it up with kids that are older than him and does not really put any limits on himself.”

Throughout the off-season, Taylor went to almost every practice with determination to improve, Hasenstien explained. His hard work has been immensely rewarding with his recent achievements in track and field so far.

“He is really on a great curve for success down the road,” Hasenstien said.

Setting the new sophomore records for the 1,000, 1,600, and the 3,200 meter runs, Taylor continues down the track of success, Nick Morley, Boys’ Track and Field assistant coach said. Taylor’s hard work and commitment to practice pays off during meets.

“He is an incredibly hard worker,” Morley said. “He is, I believe, our only runner who came to every single day of off season conditioning. He wants to be better and he’s willing to work to do it”

Taylor’s passion for running originated from his parents’ persuasion to join cross country freshman year. He continues to grow as a runner with motivation from his friends’.

“Proving it to myself that I can get faster [is what motivates me to keep running],” Taylor said.