1..2..3… Geckos-Aayush! Saisa T&F 2023
It was finally time for our OSC team to make our way to Chennai for SAISA Track and Field 2023. I was lucky enough to have been apart of such a kind and tight knit team that all collaborated and supported each other throughout the training, and now, would be able to do so in the competition itself.
Given that our 15-19 (senior girls) age group only had 4 members from 3 different grades, we had to all do 7 events. The team consisted of Myself (DP1), Maya (DP 1), Mali (MYP 5), and Eleez(DP2). My events consisted of the 1500m, 800m, 3000, long jump, and high jump. I was happy with all my events, however I was most nevous for the 3000m, as I had only done it a few times before, and I found it to be such a mentally challening event.
Before returning to school after the December break, I was aware that my timing and distances were not where they needed to be in order for me to be as successful in the competition as I would have liked to be, so I set event specific goals in my previous CAS blog for the level I wanted to be at before the competition. After a few more weeks of training with my new goals in mind, I was really happy with my progress, and I had surpassed my PB’s in most of my events, and was seeded in the top 3 times/distances for each of my events going into the competition. I was feeling good, but also knew that I needed to still really give it my all to do my best.
In the 1500m, I placed third, and increased my PB by almost 25 seconds which I was extremely proud of. I knew that I had given it my all in that race and I was super satisfied with my performance. My goal for the competition was to have gotten a sub 6 minute time, and my final time was 5:52. The 800m was a really tough race for me, and I did not do well in terms of my time or my ability at all. I ended up coming 6th, and still placing, however I was definitely disappointed in my performance, but I tried to not let that stop me from bouncing back for my next race. One of the challenges of the competition is definitely centered around how to bounce back from uncsucessfull events, and focusing on what is in front of you. I faced this strongly after my 800m, however I was lucky enough to have amazing coached and a strong team to get me back from this, and focus on what was to come next. In the 3000m, I placed 5th, and although it wasn’t as high as I had hoped for, I was really happy with the race and proud of my performance, and my new 40 second PB!
The field events at SAISA were what I came most prepared for, as they are my main strengths. In the long jump, although I did not get a new PB, I jumped 4.35m, and placed first, so I was happy with that result. High jump was another successful event for me, as I came second, however I was off my PB by about 8cm, and missed just barely missed out on the goal, but all in all, I was proud of my field event results.
Although most track & field is individual, there is one event in particular that requires teamwork and large amounts of collaboration; the relays. At SAISA there are 2 relays, the 4x400m and the 4x100m. Neither of these distances are really my strength as I’m more of a middle distance runner, however, the dedication and training we put into perfecting our relays assured us we were prepared and could do this well. In the end, the grit and effort we put into the relays paid off, and we secured the gold in both races!
This SAISA was a little bit different for me than previously, as I had the role of co-captain for the first time, along with the other captain Sam, who was a senior. This meant that I shared a big responsibility among the team with keeping the morale high, and making sure that we were all cheering and supporting each other. I put my effort towards making sure I was supporting teammates doing events whilst I had free time, and also helping younger members of the team out with advice and skills, especially since for most of them, it was their first SAISA, or sports tournament in general. It was also such a special time to get to know the captains of the other schools, and make many new friends throughout. I really took to appreciate our wonderful coaches, Ms. Kelly, Ms. Sue, Mr. Polous, and Ms. Sriyani, as they were huge factors in terms of our team’s success, and helped guide both us as a team, and individually. They made sure to coach us on and off the track, motivating us to do our personal best, and keeping the whole team together.
Overall, this SAISA was one of the best yet, and I really enjoyed the whole experience. Getting to go back to Chennai and compete in so many events, and achieve many new PB’s was an extremely fulfilling experience. Along with that, being one of the Captains this time around really allowed me to see the whole SAISA experience from a different perspective, and I can’t wait for next year, to do it all one more time.
