Fremont’s Track & Field season officially kicked off on Jan. 31, 2022. After the numerous perimeter runs, circuits and turf laps, this is where it gets interesting: dual meets and invitationals where the team competes against opposing schools. The track season was off to a great start with the first meet, the sixth annual Rustbusters Invitational at Monta Vista High School on March 5, 2022. Overall, the turnout was nothing short of amazing with a total of sixteen Bay Area schools competing. Distance runner and junior Isaac Tiscareno set a personal record and placed fifth in the 1600 meters run with an incredible time of four minutes and 42 seconds. Sophomore, Simalua Taamu, took the first place spot in Frosh/Soph girls shot put and third in discus. At least one Frosh/Soph girl placed in the top three for every field event except long jump. Overall, Fremont’s Frosh/Soph girls dominated and won the invitational for Fremont.

The athletes have been working hard and putting in a tremendous amount of dedication — from last summer to the official season — and it is finally paying off. With meets every week, invitational and dual included, Fremont’s athletes have numerous opportunities to showcase their passion and talent for this sport. In the recent invitational meet held at Saint Francis High School with over 50 schools, Trisha Sharma, a senior, placed first in the 100m hurdles and second in the 300m hurdles; Kathir Balakrishnan, a junior, placed fourth in the 110m hurdles and first in the 300m hurdles; and Haley Johnson, a sophomore and jumper, placed first in the high jump. Further, the varsity boys ran a spectacular 4x400m relay, placing second overall and achieving a personal best by over four seconds. Fremont’s team also won the dual meet against Santa Clara, portraying their triumph once again.

Saturday, March 26, was Fremont’s ninth annual Firebird Relays. A total of 36 high schools from different divisions competed. The varsity boys 4×400 meter team, consisting of Kathir Balakrishnan, Leland Nguyen, Luis Figueroa and Jonathan Mases, won second. On top of that, the team also took second place in Fremont’s own top records with their time of three minutes and 29 seconds. Balakrishnan ran an amazing 49 second split. Fremont’s Girls Frosh/Soph took first place, while Boys Varsity tied with Enochs High School for the third place spot.

Overall, the team has been shining its bright colors everywhere the sport takes it. With many more meets to go, like the Stanford Invitational, SCVAL Championship, CCS Championship and so many more, Fremont’s team is certainly doing one thing: not backing down.