Colin Sahlman

Panther Prowler • March 26, 2021

Colin Sahlman breaks national record

Prasheetha Karthikeyan Sports Editor

Running two miles in under 10 minutes seems superhuman to most people. But for Colin Sahlman, junior, it is just another walk in the park. At 8:47, Sahlman broke the fastest 3200m in the country for the 2020-2021 season on Feb. 27.

With the restrictions that California has set in stone, having meets locally is not possible, and instead, the runners go to Arizona. “It was just a race that our coach put on...and I ran the two mile there and then ran the fastest time in the country. [An] 8:47. at was pretty exciting and I just felt really good and closed in like 56 seconds in my last slot,” Sahlman said.

Although known for being a fast runner, this time was de nitely something out of the ordinary for Sahlman. “I wasn’t expecting that. I gured that out probably like two days a er my race, I was like, ‘Oh, no way.’ is is really cool because my former teammate, [Nico Young], [is] the fastest junior to ever run it so I think it’s pretty cool to be on that list and the top ve things,” Sahlman said.

Christian Simone, senior, is a teammate of Sahlman’s and has known him for a year and a half. He feels that Colin has improved signi cantly throughout the time he has known him. “Over the time I’ve known Colin, he’s improved from a good runner, to a great runner,” Simone said. “He’s established himself as one of the best runners in the country and he’s only just getting started.”

Along with physical training, mindset is a crucial factor in the performance of any athlete, and from what Simone observes, Sahlman is not an exception. “[Sahlman’s] tenacity, which he brings to practice every day, continues to create rapid success and improvement,” Simone said. “During our toughest workouts, he takes the lead and pushes the pace as much as he can. His mentality is what has allowed him to improve so quickly.”

Zaki Blunt, junior and another one of Sahlman’s teammates, has known him for about four years and had watched Sahlman since the beginning. “He has always been very competitive… [and it has] really helped him progress as a runner,” Blunt said. “In a race, Colin’s only focus is to win and in doing so, he ends up surprising everyone, and maybe even himself, with how fast he runs and he always has kept pushing the barrier on what we think he can do.”

Under these unprecedented times, things are not the same as before, and each meet they attend requires all the energy they have. “ e meet in Arizona was a special atmosphere and was designed to have fast times. With so little opportunity this year, each meet is precious and great competition from around the country came to get a chance to run fast,” Blunt said.

Sahlman credits his achievements partially to his supporters, which include family, friends and most importantly, his fellow cross country runners. “My teammates push me to be better, and I think I push them to be better,” Sahlman said. “We always support each other at workouts and races, and I think we’ve created a team bond between us that de nitely helps push us to be [the best],” Sahlman said.

Sarena Kabir News Editor

Sprint- Colin Sahlman, junior, runs across the track on his record breaking run. Sahlamn recounts his feelings when crossing across the fnish line. “I knew that I had to close pretty hard to to get the time that I wanted and then after I crossed, I didn’t really see the time. I was kind of wondering what I got and then my coach was like on the loudspeaker saying the time. I was like ‘oh, no way.’ I closed so much better than I thought I did,” Sahlman said. Colin Sahlman/With Permission

Boys volleyball spikes into their season

Hayden Meixner Staff Writer Tea Sklar Staff Writer

Boys volleyball, despite the pushed back season, is in full swing. Anyone who was interested in playing the sport was welcomed back into the gym during the week of March 15. Practices will look close to normal, despite the fact that players will be required to wear masks while in the gym and get a COVID-19 test done 48 hours prior to any practice or game. Matches will be allowed with only one spectator per player.

James Goldston, freshman, is a libero on the frosh-soph team. Despite the odd circumstances for his rst high school season, Goldston is excited to play. “I am excited to be able to play volleyball because I was not sure if it was going to start and it has been a while since we have been able to play,” Goldston said. Goldston has been playing the sport for quite a while now. “I have been playing volleyball since sixth grade and I enjoy the collectiveness of the sport and the activity I get from playing,” Goldston said. e frosh-soph team is not the only team that is being a ected. Alexander Hull, freshman, has the opportunity to play for the varsity team this year. “I’ve been playing volleyball for a little over a year and a half. My favorite part of volleyball would either be hitting the ball or blocking the other hitters,” Hull said. Due to COVID-19 regulations, the familiar crowd of cheering fans will not be permitted this season. “ is season is obviously going to be super interesting due to everything going on but I think the biggest di erence for us would be not having everyone in the bleachers and everyone screaming for us,” Hull said.

Jorge Ostrovsky, varsity coach, was excited to welcome the athletes back onto the court. is year, he decided that all who were interested in playing would be allowed to, regardless of prior experience. “I gured a er such a di cult year for students, the last thing I wanted to do is make cuts,” Ostrovsky said. Coach Ostrovsky is hopeful for the season’s games. “Matches will be di erent because there probably will not be anyone in the stands to start with. Hopefully, that will change,” Ostovsky said.

Regardless of the circumstances, the boys volleyball team is ready to mask up and be successful in the season they have in front of them.