Rachel Haack found her way to track and field thorugh the ICCSD Track and Field Days.
Shotput
October 28, 2022
As Rachel Haack approached the ICCSD Track and Field Day in the fifth grade she pondered what activity she would participate in, having no idea that she would win state for discus in three short years. Rachel had no prior experience with throwing but continued into junior high for her first season on a team.
“After track and field day is when I started to realize that oh, man, I could be really good at this,” Haack said.
In Rachel’s first season, she gainedgot a feel for throwingwhat throwing really is. She spent most of her time at practice improving at both shotput and discus, but Rachel didn’t spend much time outside of track practice or season working on her skills.
As Rachel improved at throwing she found friendship with a teammate she threw with, Hannah Braun ‘26. The two grew in their friendship and motivated each other, relating their struggles and sharing their successes, they propelled each other to improve and even began taking lessons together.
“Hannah and I started doing private lessons with a woman who went to West High, we go to the university track field and we practice once a week for two hours with her,.” Rachel said.
In 8th grade, Rachel qualified for state and threw at state, ending 1st in discus and 3rd in shotput. The success was a big deal to Rachel and it motivated her further in her love for throwing
“I was super nervous but it was so much fun because Hannah and I were together. We threw discus first and I messed up but I got better and ended up throwing a PR for both discus and shotput,” Rachel said.
Rachel also plays volleyball but considers throwing as her primary sport and is eagerly anticipating her first track and field season on the City High team. She has goals set and is planning to enjoy her season and make new friends.
“I’m just looking forward to getting better honestly. I still have a lot of techniques to learn. I have goals to get a PR this season, and hopefully, even be on varsity. I recognize that’s a big jump from middle school track and field, but that would be my main goal.”
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