Chasing the finish line
Manteca high school Track team in look for victory
By CHRISTIAN AMBRIZ
The Tower
Willam brown is practicing his get off before running the 300m hurdles (Photo Contributed).
MANTECA – Speed, sweat and guts is that defines the Manteca High School Track team this season, as athletes sprint, hurdle and push their limits to the victory line.
Track and field look like a sport about times, marks, and personal records, but for the team it is more personal than that.
Athletes learn early on that while they’re competing as individuals, they’re never really competing alone. Teammates get on the track, cheering all the way, creating a support system that pushes each runner further.
As the season hits its stride around mid-April there’s shifts. It moves from obsessing over PR’s, into trusting the work they’ve put in.
Not every race is about winning. It’s about getting better, learning, and showing progress. With organized recoveries, strong workouts, and strong mindsets build up durability, the athletes begin to realize they’re capable of more than they think of.
“Your vs your own limitations. So, pushing ourselves past that point of discomfort, and realizing that our limitations are really only what we allow ourselves to be stopped by is the main barrier to being great.” Manteca high track coach Paul Lyons said.
Junior William Brown has made an appearance as a dominant force in the hurdles, consistently finishing at or near the top in both the 110m and 300m events.
During the 2026 season, he recorded an amazing 14.63 in the 110m hurdles, placing along top competitors at major meets, and constantly securing first-place finishes in league competitions.
“For pacing during a race, I try to stay relaxed at the start, settle int rhythm, and then pick up the pace in the last stretch. I focus on breathing and not burning out to earl.” Manteca high Track athlete Brown said.
Brwon also showed range by competing in the 400m, where he posted a season best 53.57, showing his endurance along his technical skill over hurdles.
Browns’ progression shows his growth into an elite level hurdler, improving from 17.07 as a freshman to 14.63 as a junior in the 110m hurdles. In the 300m hurdles, he kept strong, consistent performances, including the season best: 39.78, often finishing first in league meets.