Prior to States, Coach Barry Cantrell said, “Our runners have displayed phenomenal poise so far, now we just have to finish.” The competition defined the team’s success and mission throughout the year, as they exemplified diligence and achieved their goals. The boys 4×100 relay team broke the school record in the Finals, while the girl’s 4×800 relay team finished in second, setting another new school record.

Going into the meet, Coach Cantrell expected great results but did not anticipate the exciting outcomes. The results of the state meet were excellent for CCA track standards, as the team qualified and placed the most runners in the state competition than ever before. A runner said, “This was a great year, and I’m glad we were able to achieve results for all of our work.”

“I have seen tremendous growth in both personal character and spirituality in the athletes,” further explains Cantrell. The team also used their gifts to further the Kingdom—volunteering at the Refuge and continuously praying throughout practices, meets and competitions. They supported each other in their pursuit of Christ and grew closer with one another as well as the season transgressed.

“God has truly blessed me this year, I am proud of what they accomplished in the athletic, scholastic, personal, and spiritual areas of their lives,” reflects Cantrell. The results of the competition were indeed outstanding in addition to the many other accomplishments on and off the track standard.

A reoccurring statement from the CCA Track Coach, Coach Cantrell is “We are a not runner…that’s just what we do! What we really are are disciples!” The team has put this renowned statement into practice during their track meets. “Track meets are so long and there are so many chances to talk to kids,” says Joey Imhoff. “I probably talk to 5 different kids each track meet. There’s always an opportunity to bring God up because a lot of times there are Christian schools there but the kids aren’t necessarily Christians or they definitely don’t act like they are, so it is a good opportunity to show them what Calvary is all about.”

The team does ministry outside of meets and practices by having outreaches at The Refuge on Sunday mornings. “Sunday is the day when our church takes over and does a service, worship, and serves coffee with donuts,” says Elizabeth Dougherty. “I have never really done something like that, but serving the homeless gave me so joy.”

The physical aspect is not where the excitement ends for Coach Cantrell, who feels his team is also a great group spiritually. They pray before and after each practice and work on various outreaches, such as collecting rice for Haiti relief.

Coach Cantrell has attended Calvary Chapel for the past 11 years, and has just recently retired from his business occupation. In the past, he has served in the U.S air force during the Vietnam War, as a medic on a helicopter. Then he later went on to coach three state champion hurdlers, and lastly made his track-coaching debut in 1968, going on to coach various teams such as St. Thomas and Coconut Creek high school.

The team’s first meet will be on February 16^th at Westminster. “We are working very hard to be in the best shape possible,” said Cantrell, who believes the best time to peak physically will be in the final months of the season where district and regional meets come around. The track team is very grateful for bringing Cantrell on board, and everyone is ready to give their best efforts and make it a phenomenal season.

Twelve gifted athletes traveled to Winter Park last Friday to represent CCA’s Track and Field team in the 1A State competition. From hurdlers to high jumpers, the track meet consisted of over fifty teams, each of which were determined to leave with as many medals as they could by placing in the top eight of their event.

Track and Field Director, Coach Wayne Cole says that the meet was unforgettable. “State Championship in track and field this year was a powerful event. It was not only a time for the highest competition for the athletes but also a time for reflection for the team. As we approached the last day of competition, God had a message for us that He made clear as we looked into His Word as a team.”

Before the races began, the Eagles gathered around to read 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Despite injuries, the Eagles learned what it means to trust in Christ and in His strength. And He came through for them. . . allowing them to glorify Him through their many medals. Seventh grader Alia Hammer was the highest scoring athlete from CCA. Placing fourth in high jump by tying her personal record at 5’2’’, Hammer not only gave her team five points, but also proved that she could compete against people well over her age.

The girls 4×8 team placed sixth in the state and ran a race that nobody would have wanted to miss. Dominique Kelly, Cassandra Borton, Caroline Pauls and Emily Groenveld are experts at exchanging the baton, for they beat their previous time by over fifteen seconds! Eighth grader Emily Groenveld also classified in the open 800 meters, in which she placed eighth with a time of 2:23, three seconds faster than her previous time.

The boys 4×4 team also ran an excellent race, placing eighth in the state. Ulises Garcia, Joey Imhoff, Kyle Whitley and Dominick Pierre definitely used their speed to glorify God in this competitive race. Junior Dominick Pierre, who also competed in 110 high hurdles, says, “We had a lot of obstacles in our way, but all-in-all we relied on the Lord’s strength and He came through for us as we medaled!”

As track season came to a close, a new chapter is starting in many of the lives of the athletes. Pierre says that he plans to “have loads of fun and success in spring football as I get ready for my last high school football season.” Coach Cole says, “Through it all it was a time of growing and maturing and celebrating a season well fought, and ending on a high note of praise to God for accomplishing great things in and through His own.”

Junior Kelsey Thomas and seventh grader Alia Hammer both competed in the high jump, where they tied their personal records, and captured first place with their combined jump of ten feet.

Seventh grade student Cassandra Borton ran her best mile time at 5:54, and Asher Shashaty, also in seventh grade, jumped eight feet in pole vault, breaking the school record by half a foot. The youngest pole-vaulter at the meet, Asher showed his determination and strength as he soared over the bar. Franklin Mosley, a sophomore who ran the 4×1, 4×4 and sprint medley, said that “Our team did pretty, good. We had a couple of mess-ups but it was nothing that practice can’t fix. I think we will make it to states!”

Congratulations Eagles on your hard work! We look forward to seeing God’s work in the lives of our athletes as they “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called them.”