Blessings Pongo, Track and Field
Deemed the “fastest kid at Kirkwood Elementary School” by his teachers and peers, Blessings Pongo has been known all his life for his speed. Pongo hopes to contribute that speed to the City High program this spring.
Although he doesn’t run in the off season, Pongo has thought about joining a local track club to develop his speed and become stronger for the school season.
Despite the fact that speed is typically thought of as something you’re either born with or you’re not, competitors like Pongo understand that what makes a good runner extends beyond natural ability.
“Running the right way and doing what my coaches tell me based on how I should run the race or relay really helps me a lot.”
Pongo will join sprinters like Zach Jones ‘18 and Max DePrenger ‘19 on the track in a few months, and Pongo hopes to be right up with them. He has his sights set on accomplish big things during his time here at City.
“Before I graduate is just to be remembered as one of the best athletes to do this sport and also my other goal is to at least break one or more school long time track record.”
Rika Yahashiri, Swimming
Around the time when Michael Phelps won four gold and two silver medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, another swimming great was just getting started.
Rika Yahashiri began her fruitful career at the ripe age of eight. She originally began at the Mercer Aquatic Center swimming competitively for the Iowa City Eels, but after a season switched over to welcoming tides of the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center to swim for IFLY.
Since then, Yahashiri has spent most days of her year breathing chlorine. Yahashiri’s mentality makes it possible for her to maintain this lifestyle.
“In order to be successful at swimming you have to bring a good attitude to the pool. You also have to commit to a lot of practices a week with dryland (workout outside the pool) and the weight room.”
Although Yahashiri says that there are many times when she wishes that she would have more time to spend with her friends outside of school, the results of her labor make her commitment worthwhile.
“When you’re at a meet and beat your goal time or PR, that’s the best feeling.”
In Yahashiri’s first high school swimming season, she has already made her mark. She is a part of the team’s best relays and consistently puts up the team’s top three times in each individual event. Not only does Yahashiri excel in the pool, but in the classroom and on the stage as well.
“Before I graduate [I want] to try to have a 4.0 GPA while going to state swim every year I’m at City. I want to make All-State band and SEIBA jazz band in trumpet.”