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Redondo hosted and competed in the annual Nike Invitational on March 10

by Malina Young

Although rain poured onto the track this weekend, over ninety diferent schools came to the Sea Hawk Bowl, this past weekend to compete at the 2023 Redondo Nike Festival. The two-day event took place at home, with over sixteen girls and boys varsity events. The starting line was crowded with vehement runners, determined to PR and scout their competition for the season.

Junior Lela Divinity broke her PR and fnished eighth in California for the 100m hurdles, fnishing with a 15.06. Although Divinity secured a spot in the top twenty in California for the 300m, she believes she could have executed the race better.

“I was tired in the last 100m (for the 300m hurdles) and I died down in the race. I was really anxious about the race, specifcally how long the 300m hurdles are. I felt like I wouldn’t be able to run for that long,” Divinity said.

Divinity already has formulated her goals for the rest of the season, which include breaking 15.00 seconds for the 100m hurdles and defending her Division 1 title for the 300m hurdles. At practice, she has worked on technique over the hurdles, such as her arm swing, as well as her speed work, in addition at home she has been exploring ways to calm her nerves, especially at big meets, where the competition is ferce.

“I’ve actually tried a new thing. I started meditating because I used to get really bad anxiety from my races, where I could barely move my body or warm up,” Divinity said.

Divinity hopes to continue her track career at a colle giate level, and is looking forward to accomplishing her goals this season.

“Track gives me something to look forward to in the day and to wake up with a purpose. Everyone has their own niche and track is mine,” Divinity said.

However, unlike Divinity, junior Addyson Benefeld, new from Canada this year, was dis appointed with her results. Benefeld participated in the 800 SMR and 400m, fnishing third in the 800 SMR against some top competition. Benefeld noted that track in America is more competitive compared to Canada.

“I’ve been going into every race with the mentality that everybody wants to win. Also, because you were fast a year ago doesn’t mean you’re going to be fast in this race,” Benefeld said, “Everybody works hard. It’s the level we’re at. When you’re sleeping, people are working ten times harder than you, so you have to put everything you have and more into this sport.”

Benefeld’s energetic and lively person- ality also came out this weekend, in eforts to cope with her nerves. She brought a speaker, started to play music, introducing herself to others at the starting line.

“Everyone is for themselves when we're racing, and we’re not friends, but as soon as the race ends, we’re back to being friends. You have to be mindful about getting in the right zone, but it’s fne after that,” Benefeld said.

Moving on from this meet, Benefeld intends to improve her personal and team’s ranking.

“I don’t like the idea of losing. So you have to envision yourself being beat. But losing is something that you have to be comfortable with before you can start winning. I fnd losing as a form of motivation because when you lose you realize that you want to win,” Benefeld said.