The 2018 season for the Fountain Hills High School track and field team was a season defined by the Falcons pushing themselves to their personal best.

FHHS track stars broke more than five school records in the 2018 season across a variety of events.

The self-determination that led to the breaking of these records was an attitude that was present the whole season, according to head coach Todd Brecto.

“Starting with practices in February and ending with the state championship in early May the Falcons worked hard all season,” Brecto said. “They worked hard to best their individual, personal records, shoot for school records and qualify for the state meet.”

The record breakers on the team seemed to be evenly split between the boys and girls rosters.

Alaina Olmstead set new school records in both the 200m (26.8) and 400m (59.27) events. Olmstead would go on to place second in the 400m event at the state meet.

Amara Feyrer-Melk, who received a double athletic scholarship for track and volleyball to Benedictine College, broke records for the triple jump (35.5’) and the javelin throw (103’ 11’’) events.

On the boys team, Sam Aker proved himself to be a more than competent pole vaulter, consistently breaking his records each meet. Aker set the school record for highest pole vault at 13’1’’.

The boys also set a school record in the javelin event, with Darren Smith throwing the spear a distance of 142’.

Other than pushing themselves to their personal limits, the other goal for the season the Fountain Hills track team had was another girls state championship trophy.

Despite winning the top spot for the past two years, another state championship was a tall order for the Lady Falcons. The track team had less of a turnout than in previous years, meaning that fewer Falcons would have to make up the deficit.

By the time the state meet arrived in May the Lady Falcons set their sights on securing second place in state, but a medical emergency left the team shorthanded.

“The girls team had finished as Arizona state champions the past two years,” Brecto said. “Our goal for 2018 was to make it a three-peat! The girls knew it was going to be a huge challenge, but they were up to the task. We were in a position going into the state meet to capture the second place trophy, but unfortunately one of our key lady athletes ended up sick in the ER the night before competition.”

This setback did not deter the Falcons from preforming their best at state, with four of the 11 athletes who qualified for state receiving all-state honors.

For Brecto, other than watching his team continue to set new records, the best moment of the season was the two home meets Fountain Hills hosted.

“We had two very successful home meets this season, which is great to show off our beautiful track facility to the other schools,” Brecto said. “But it takes a lot of work to put on the meets and I could not do it without the help of my assistant coaches and parents. They were unbelievable in donating their time and talent.”