Facing the nation’s top competition, Northern Valley Demarest track athletes performed at a high level at New Balance Nationals. 

Competing across multiple events, Demarest athletes delivered strong performances while showing their range in relay, hurdles, and distance races. Juniors Zoe Gatanas and Sophee Estrems, along with senior Adrian Cami, represented the team at the meet. 

For junior Sophee Estrems, the atmosphere stood out immediately. 

“The energy was definitely high, everyone there seemed extremely focused and ready to perform,” Estrems said. 

Estrems ran the open 400, the open 800, and the 800 leg in sprint medley, with her 800 meter race standing out as a defining moment of the meet. 

“I had been holding onto second place for the majority of the race, and in the last stretch I took first…I also set a personal record in the 800 of 2:14,” Estrems said. 

Junior Zoe Gatanas, returning to the meet for a second time, approached the meet with a new perspective.

“This year I knew what to expect but last year I was in complete awe because the facility is so nice and the energy in there was amazing,” Gatanas said. 

Running the 400-meter leg of the sprint medley relay, she was especially impressed by the level of competition. 

“Watching the other relay teams compete while waiting for my turn stood out because there were so many comebacks that made everyone’s heads turn,” Gatanas said. 

For senior Adrian Cami, the meet brought a mix of nerves and excitement.
“My first impression when I arrived at the meet was feeling super nervous but also really excited. I knew I was racing some of the fastest athletes in the country, which definitely shook me at first,” Cami said. 

Competing in the 60-meter hurdles, Cami described the intensity of the environment. 

“The atmosphere at this meet was insane and super intense. It really hit me that I was competing on a national stage,” Cami said. 

In preparation, each athlete took a slightly different approach. Gatanas focused on maintaining strong habits.

“To prepare for this meet I made sure to have a healthy diet as well as get enough sleep. I also stay dialed in at practice to get the maximum performance,” Gatanas said. 

On the other hand, Cami prioritized recovery. 

“I spent the week before the meet focusing entirely on hurdles while keeping my training relatively light so I would feel fresh,” Cami said. 

Managing nerves was another important factor in competing at a national-level meet. 

“I made sure to remind myself that I’ve done this race before and that I know I have prepared myself for this,” Gatanas said. 

Beyond their performances, the experience helped athletes grow and set new goals for the future. 

“My performance this indoor season…has me setting some pretty high expectations for my spring season; I’m looking to not only beat my personal record in the 800, but also the school record,” Estrems said. 

Looking ahead, each athlete emphasized the importance of confidence and perspective.

“Don’t ever go into a race thinking you won’t do well or thinking someone is better than you because that’s only going to lower your confidence,” Gatanas said.

Reflecting on their experience, the athletes offered advice to future competitors. 

“I would tell them to have fun..qualifying for this meet alone is very hard and a huge accomplishment,” Cami said.