Season of Growth

At the Unified Track and Field Sectional meet, the team didn’t punch a ticket to regionals, but they certainly made a statement. With an impressive fifth-place finish, the Royals closed out their season stronger than ever before.

Fishers, the reigning state champions, took home the title again with 108 points. Noblesville followed with 99, and Westfield rounded out the top three with 87. These teams will advance to the Regional Championship. While some teams walked away with spots in the next round of competition, HSE left with something arguably more powerful: progress.

“Two years in a row we were eighth. We were kind of stuck there,” Coach Daniel Moosbrugger said. “But we jumped up three spots this year. We did it together, and we worked hard.”

That spirit of unity was especially felt during what was an emotional finale for the large senior class. Over 30 seniors competed in their final meet today and they left behind a legacy of leadership, positivity, and connection.

“I’ve been with them for four years,” Coach Lauryn Gerard said. “This is a very emotional year for me… but I know we just keep getting better every year, and I think it’s so exciting to see the program grow.”

Coach Katie Clayton echoed this, sharing what she’ll miss most and noting how personal this season felt.

“I’ll miss having my oldest daughter on the team and seeing the pure joy on her face,” Clayton said. “The seniors that are out here, they’re doing it for all the right reasons.”

That senior presence was felt across the whole team, especially in the friendships that defined this group.

“I’ll miss the friends,” sophomore Macey Spreitzer said. “Tyler, George, Carter, and all of them.”

That sense of joy and connection is the heartbeat of the team. As athletes looked back on the season, they shared what memories and people that they will miss the most.

“Being with all my friends and doing the events I love,” senior Carter Glenn said.

“The spirit,” junior Jack Trant said. “Everyone cheering each other on.”

“I’ll miss Haraj,” sophomore Abby Orme said. “And just all the fun we have at meets.”

“All the fun events,” sophomore Orion Donoho said. “And there’s always next season too.”

Even as the team says goodbye to a senior class, the foundation they built will continue. The underclassmen now have the opportunity to carry forward their culture in future seasons.

“After a while, it just becomes such a close family,” Moosbrugger said. “The good thing is, they keep bringing friends back, and it keeps going.”

Coach Clayton shared her hopes for the future.

“I’m hoping the juniors will be able to continue that trend and bring in more and more people who have the kind of heart these 2025 seniors had.”

As the Royals reflect on this season, they do so grounded in the mantra they recite at the end of every practice and meet.

G – GratitudeR – RespectI – IntegrityP – Purpose

“I have a purpose, and the world is better because I am in it.”