After placing third overall in the South Fayette Invite, senior Anna Plunkett knew track and field was an experience she was going to miss in college.
“Placing at the South Fayette invite felt good because it was a big PR for me and the farthest I’ve thrown this season,” Plunkett said.
She competes in two throwing events, shot put and discus.
Plunkett reflected on how she started track and field and then stuck with it because of the support she got from coaches and teachers along the way. One who made an impact on her was Harrison Middle School physical education teacher Yvonne Kluckowski, who encouraged her to join the middle school track team.
“I was super competitive in gym class, and my middle school gym teacher said I would be really good at track because of how tall I was,” Plunkett said. “It was perfect timing for me to join because that’s the year you could start sports for the school.”
Senior Mackenzie Bowen has been on the track team with Plunkett since their freshman year. Bowen said track and cross country have strengthened their friendship. Bowen credits Plunkett with her compassion as a teammate, highlighting her supportive nature.
“She embodies what it means to be a companion, a true teammate,” Bowen said. “She is so selfless and will always cheer every single person on. It doesn’t even matter what team they are from or who they are.”
Senior Allison Lease has also been on the track team with Plunkett since their freshman year. Lease said she and Plunkett became closer through track, and she will miss this time together.
“I will miss just being around each other every day, making new jokes, trying new things, and working to get better together,” Lease said. “Anna’s positive mindset sets her apart from others because she encourages everyone to do better and she always performs well in her events.”
Plunkett said her support system is her biggest inspiration to continue.
“I think, overall, my coaches were the biggest influences,” she said, adding that they help “make me not care about the importance of being the best, and help me focus on having a fun experience,” Plunkett said.
Her own family’s presence at meets has also been important, she said,
“If I knew I was not going to throw well, my family would always be there for me,” she said.
Plunkett is also heavily involved in Special Olympics.
“Special Olympics has been a part of my life even before high school. So, the way that I kind of grew into our program here definitely helped my high school journey,” Plunkett said.
She has participated in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge since she was little, so doing it again this year was special, she said.
“It’s a super full-circle moment. Going to my first plunge, then going to my last one with our whole team, has taught me so much. I’ve met so many people through it,” Plunkett said.
Plunkett will miss the memories gained by these experiences and is excited for her future experiences. This fall, Plunkett will be attending the University of Pittsburgh to study bioengineering.
