To my crazy, lovable, never-a-dull-moment CATF seniors:

It has been an absolute JOY. 

Thank you for the laughs, for inspiring me, and for always making my heart so full. Long live CON!, RAD!, backwards lap, the BELL, K2, shenanigans, girls team tie dye, and the Coach Hall nod. 

Know that the traditions you have set and memories you have made will stay with you long after your time at CA, and will impact you in more ways than you can even imagine. 

I hope you never stop cheering for others, running your own race, working together, having fun and believing in your individuality and uniqueness, and the power that it has to impact a life and change the world. I know each one of you have, for me. 

Believing in you, always!

Everyone, we had a short time together this spring. So much potential. So much promise. You all came on board with energy, commitment and an earnest desire to learn and improve. This year started off with a bang and then was interrupted by a virus. This may always be known as “the year that could have been”. But we all face adversities and it’s how we respond to them that we learn about ourselves, learn from these experiences and move forward. The best of luck to all the senior throwers in all of their endeavors. The best in your lives are yet to come.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

Shon Bagade, a 4-year track & field athlete, competing in the throws, Shon was very adaptable and adopted new ways of practicing this season. He saw opportunity for his personal progress and improvement and was all-in. He was a fun and positive member of the throwers team. He was attentive and receptive of new ways of doing things for himself and his teammates. His efforts would have eventually paid off very well with PR performances in the shot put and discus this season. Shon’s parents are Sayam and Sanjana Bagade. Shon plans to attend UNC-Charlotte. 

Ted Davis, a 3-year track & field athlete, competing in the distance events, Ted was an astute learner and an enthusiastic team member. Ted enjoyed his afternoons with the team and appreciated the multi-faceted experience of track & field: the physical fitness, the intellectual nuances and lessons, the presence with nature, and the team camaraderie. Ted’s strong work ethic and self-discipline helped him improve strongly during his career, particularly in his best events of the 800m and 1600m. Ted’s parents are Marcia and Mark Davis. Ted plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania. 

Dane Fekete, a 4-year track & field athlete, competing in the sprints and throws, and a team captain, has been one of the few 2-year captains in our team’s history, a reflection of Dane’s energetic, positive leadership, and his ability to lift those around him. He is serious and fun, with lots of personality. He has been one of our top sprinters and a key relay team member for the past four years. Always expressing a joy for life, and willing to try new things, in the throws, Dane wanted to learn this new event and improve his shot put technique. He was extremely focused and intentional with his technique commitment. He has great physical strength and fitness and it showed in his throwing distances in practice. With a little more time, who knows what he could have accomplished in these new events. 

Teo Feliu, a 4-year track & field athlete, competing in the distance events, was a huge part of our team, garnering the nickname “El Toro” for his powerfully positive personality. Teo always brought a fun-loving attitude to the team that lifted spirits and helped keep things positive and in perspective even on the hardest days. Teo’s parents are Pepe Feliu and Ines Merce. 

David Go, a 4-year track & field athlete, competing in the distance events, and a team captain, David was an instrumental leader for the track program. A passionate track aficionado, David brought organizational skills, devotion to the program, and a visionary leadership outlook that can’t be overestimated. A founding member of the Indoor Track program and the organizer of countless team adventures, get-togethers, and field trips (such as to meet Edward Cheserek), David was a central pillar of CA distance running for the past four years. Throughout his career, David demonstrated both determination and perseverance, working hard to improve to the All-Conference level in cross country his senior year, and culminating in a 4th place finish at the NC independent schools state Indoor meet in the 3200m. David was also of indispensable assistance to the coaching staff, taking the lead, with zest, on innumerable projects and initiatives. When cleaning up after a late meet, David would be one of the last to leave, always offering assistance and service, a true mark of great character. David’s parents are Sarah Moessinger and Andre Go. David plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill and major in geography. 

Jono Jenkens, a 4-year track & field athlete, competing in the pole vault, found his athletic place in track & field with the pole vault. After trying many different event groups, Jono found arguably the most difficult to be his best fit. Through hard work and attention to detail, Jono developed the skills needed to do this challenging event, and improved a tremendous amount from freshman to senior year. Jono’s willingness to try anything and not get discouraged were always appreciated by the coaching staff. 

Matthew Modi, a 2-year track & field athlete, competing in the sprints and hurdles, Matthew would always come down from robotics with a positive, cheerful attitude, and a willingness to work hard. He chose an event, the hurdles, that most athletes are afraid to try, and placed 10th at the 2019 TISAC meet in the 110m High Hurdles. 

Obinna Modilim, a 2-year track & field athlete, competing in the jumps, Obinna brought a focus and seriousness of purpose that was appreciated by the coaching staff. Every day at practice, Obinna brought an attention to detail and a sincere desire to improve. He was a model pupil to our jumps coach and we always loved watching Obinna crack a smile when he was proud or amused. Obinna, was a great student, robot engineer, jumper, and a wonderful team member on the track team. 

Saajan Patel, a 2-year track & field athlete, competing in the distance events, Saajan brought a bright and positive personality every day, eager to engage the challenges. A hard worker who kept a joyful attitude and was always excited to be with the team, learn new things, and improve, Saajan was a quintessential CA distance runner. 

Rohan Sachdev, a 2-year track & field athlete, competing in the sprints, Rohan bookended his CA career by being on the track team as a freshman and a senior. Throughout, he was one of the top ice hockey players in the state, which delayed his return to track this spring. Had we had a full spring season, Rohan’s speed and energetic enthusiasm were sure to make him a huge contributor to our team this year. It was great to have Rohan back at last! 

Grant Scotto, a 4-year track & field athlete, competing in the distance events and throws, has been a team leader for cross country and track & field for the past four years. A multi-talented athlete, Grant showed talent as a distance runner and as a thrower. Pole vault was also in his wheelhouse and could have been an emerging event for Grant. This combination of endurance, explosiveness, and strength made Grant a rare and impressive athlete. In addition to a life-long commitment to physical fitness, Grant is also an astute observer of nuance and technique. Grant was eager to learn shot put and discus this year, and was intently focused on the details of employing good technique. He was committed to excellence in all of his pursuits, demonstrating another of Grant’s best traits. He was a strong leader for our team, and was captain of our cross country team the fall. 

Allen Shen, a first-year track & field athlete, competing in the sprints and distance events, Allen came out his senior year to experience track & field with his fellow seniors. He had a great attitude and was willing to try anything, be it sprinting or distance. During his short time on the team, Allen relished the camaraderie, exercise, and beautiful bucolic landscapes while we trained in the gorgeous North Carolina spring. 

Aidan Sher, a 3-year track & field athlete, competing in the distance events, Aiden worked with a positive attitude and joy for the process as he improved in all of his events throughout his career, including his best event, the 3200m. A supportive teammate, Aiden lifted the team with his warm personality and quick wit. 

Loren Troan, a 4-year track & field athlete, competing in the pole vault and sprints, and a team captain, Loren was the State Runner-Up in the Indoor Pole Vault in 2020 and improved over his career to become one of the top pole vaulters in the NCISAA. Loren is a model athlete and person. He does what you ask and gives the extra effort every time. Few athletes have improved as much from freshman to senior year as Loren! Although he had to balance multiple event groups, he always gave his best in each group and provided key enthusiasm and leadership. Loren would always lend a helping hand and would always step up in any way the team needed him. Loren loved helping out in the 4x400m Relay at the end of the meet. Loren was a joy to coach and we’ll miss his leadership with the vaulters, sprinters, and hurdlers. An exceptional scholar and athlete, Loren plans to pole vault on the varsity track team at the University of Chicago next year. 

Koen Winemiller, a 4-year track & field athlete, competing in the sprints and jumps, Koen’s talents in track exceeded even those he substantially possessed in the realms of punctuality and pick-up basketball. Koen’s speed on the track was impressive and his toughness was demonstrated in his success at the 400m. Also discovering a late-blossoming talent in the long jump, Koen was a top point-scorer for our team and one of the top athletes in the TISAC conference. 

Eric Xing, a first-year track & field athlete, competing in the sprints, added a lot to our program in the short time he was with us. Eric showed up consistently ready to work. He was a team player ready to step in for relay work any time we needed him.  

Constantin Zodl, a 3-year track & field athlete, competing in the throws, Constantin was captain of the men’s throwers. Constantin demonstrated leadership, was a good role model and example to others, and was fun and very pleasant to everyone. Despite his previous accomplishments in discus when he was TISAC Champion and set the School Record last year, he still wanted to learn more, improve and push himself further. He was very helpful, patient, gentle and empathetic with his teammates. This is a tremendous strength. It was a pleasure working with him. I wish we had more time together and a chance for him to PR in the shotput as well as set new school records in the Discus. Good luck in all he does going forward.