On May 8, 2025, the Hamilton Southeastern Boys Track & Field team competed against the other seven teams of the Hoosier Crossroads Conference (HCC). The Royals finished 5th overall, highlighted by impressive first-place finishes from short-distance runner Christian Ortiz, pole vaulter Evan Senefeld, and thrower Jordan Futch.

While the team didn’t secure the win, several individual athletes shined. Over the course of the meet, eight personal records (PRs) were set, along with a school and meet record.

Senior Christian Ortiz had a standout performance, breaking his own PR and setting both a school and meet record in the 200-meter dash.

“If you told me freshman year I was going to break that school record, I would never have believed you,” Ortiz said. “I put my trust in God and he provided I would have never been able to do it by myself.”

Another strong showing came from pole vaulter Evan Senefeld, who won his event by a full foot with a final height of 14 feet, just shy of his PR of 14’3” set just last week.

“I felt relieved and excited at the same time,” Senefeld said. “Relief that all my hard work paid off and excited that I accomplished another major goal I set out to do.”

Thrower Jordan Futch also had a memorable night, hitting a long-anticipated PR of 40 feet, 1 inch in the shot put and giving a solid performance in the discus, crediting much of his progress to his coach, Coach Bird.

“I was expecting to PR today, so going in I was already excited going in knowing that a PR was possible,” Futch said. “I can’t take all the credit though, Coach Bird has taught me a lot and really liked the performance I gave today.”

Even though the Royals didn’t take home the team title, their athletes showed dedication and effort through the whole meet fighting till the very end.

“I’m grateful to be surrounded by such a great coaching staff,” Ortiz added. “They push me every day and instill confidence in me.”