Throughout Brooklyn, dozens of schools try their hardest to be the best
Track & Field team. The Spring Creek Campus (SCC) Track & Field team is no exception. The Spring Creek Campus Track & Field team is more than just a group of runners. They are a family of student athletes that have come together and bound by dedication, passion, and excellence.
The Spring Creek Campus Track & Field team was originally founded in 2016. In the eight years that it’s been a team, the SCC T&F team has produced many athletes who excel in their event. Malachi Aiken, class of 2022, is an All-American in triple jump and 12th in the country. Aiken was trained here at Spring Creek and made it into University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a division one school in Maryland. Aiken is a big inspiration for current athletes on our team and we all strive to be as good as him.
Almost every day after school between the times of 4:15 to 6 p.m., the student athletes train in their respective events. The balance between track and school is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle while pushing for a better future.
“It’s always been hard for me to balance school and track, but I know to be able to do track, I need to be completing my work in school. Something that I don’t have a healthy balance with either.” says Mikayla Martin, a junior here at AFYW.
Although Mikayla struggles with this balance, she still manages to be an excellent athlete. Mikayla is a borough’s medalist in triple jump. Her excellence mixed with determination and strength inspires our newer members to do better in their respective events.
Although Mikayla as well as other members are talented, hardwork is also a key factor in the SCC T&F team. From my personal experience, when I first joined the team in Fall 2023, I didn’t have one athletic bone in my body. Now this year, I am projected to be a city champion in hurdling for the 2024-2025 indoor season. When I first started track, I thought that I would never get faster. But I kept coming to practice and improved my form. Now I am confident enough to teach others about the sport.
I didn’t improve by myself though. The only coach of the team, Kyle Pawlaczyk is the main reason the team is so good. Kyle started coaching the track team in 2018; a year after the team was formed. Kyle used to be a highschool and collegiate distance runner and triple jumper. This made him want to coach others.
“Having great coaches throughout middle and high school and being able to forward it is really nice.” Kyle said.
As the only coach, Kyle is there to help with all the events that athletes participate in. For others it might be stressful, but for Kyle it’s nothing.
Spring Creek Campus had their first team track meet Thanksgiving weekend. The freshman girls put up serious competition among the other Brooklyn schools. Their 4×200 relay race made it to finals and placed silver. One of our star freshmen, Devnere Finley, is the number one freshman triple jumper in the city currently. Our captain, Richelle Horsford became the #1 In the state and top 10 in the country in high school long jump. Many of our rookies’ first meet was also during this weekend such as Victoria Hullman and Davere Wright.
Spring Creek Track Team is not only a team. They are a collection of talented, young student athletes. The achievements of past and current members of the team inspire others to do better. After practices they have this chant that goes, “1..2..3 HARD WORK, 4…5…6 SPRING CREEK, 7…8…9 S-C-C-4-L.” This chant signifies Spring Creek’s school spirit.
