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Krithika Sambamurthy | Staff Writer

Friends in class. Rivals on the track.

Eighth-graders Jackson Yoder and Ethan Summers are best friends, up until the starting gun goes off signaling the start of the 100-meter sprint. They are the ones that everyone's eyes are on for the 2018-19 Mason Middle School (MMS) track and field season.

Although the sprinters first met when they were a part of the MMS Track and Field team last year, they have both had a long-term interest in running. Yoder said that he started running because he had confidence in his abilities.

"I wanted to join the track team because I already knew that I can run," Yoder said. "In fifth grade, I was pretty fast so I was like 'Oh yeah I'm going to do this because I'm fast, I can sprint.'"

Summers was no different. He said that he has had an interest in running for a long time.

"Well, I've always been fast as a kid and I beat everyone in races," Summers said. "I just wanted to try it. I like running because I love the wind blowing through my hair and the rush I get."

As they both got older and middle school approached, their paths crossed. Yoder said that Summers is one of his biggest competitors. He watches his competition to see how he can improve.

"Ethan Summers is pretty fast," Yoder said. "He's my main competition. I watch how my competition runs and see: do they have a fast foot-turnover rate, longer strides that make them slower, or anything like that."

Up until they get on the starting blocks, the two are best friends. Once they take their mark, they both yearn to be the one who comes out on top. Summers said that this year he is looking to defeat Yoder.

"He beat me last year," Summers said. "I knew he'd beat me, but this year I really want to beat him. I would like to be the best. If I keep working hard, then I could get through high school in track and hopefully, college."

Looking ahead at the coming season, both sprinters are working hard to improve. Yoder said that he's been working outside of practice.

"During the winter time, I did the Polar Bear Running Club," Yoder said. "At home, I've been doing strength training. Coaches give a bunch of core work that you can do and that's what I've been doing."

While both are competing in the 100-meter sprint, they come together and work as one on the 4 by 100 relay team. The 4 by 100 relay is an event in which there are four runners who run 100 meters each. Summers said that in the 2017-18 season, he and Yoder were on successful relays.

"Me, Jackson, Justin, Andrew, and Julnair, we're the five main guys who did relays last year," Summers said. "Me, Jackson and Andrew and Justin, once or twice, did relays because we were fast. We won twice throughout the season because we were always against older kids."

Despite their rivalry in the lanes, once they cross the finish line, Yoder and Summers return to being teammates and friends who support each other.

The two return to cheer on the rest of the team after their race. Yoder and Summers push each and the rest of their team to constantly improve. Yoder said that the team is what helps him grow. He's gotten to where he is because of them.

"Everyone pushes me to run faster," Yoder said. "After I'm done running, I'll go support my other teammates. They support me, and I love having them there because they make me happy. I'd probably doubt myself a lot and I don't think I'd be as good without them."

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Rivalry Fuels Rising Stars in Track and Field

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Krithika Sambamurthy | Staff Writer Friends in class. Rivals on the track. Eighth-graders Jackson Yoder and Ethan Summers are best friends, up until the starting gun goes off signaling the start of the 100-meter sprint. They are the ones that everyone's eyes are on for the 2018-19 Mason Middle School (MMS) track and field season....