Congratulations to varsity track and field's Anne Sophie Fratzscher '16 for being selected by HAA as Panther of the Week.
Fratzscher, a senior captain, displayed amazing courage and perseverance in a recent track meet. After finishing in first place, in the 100 meter hurdles, Fratzscher waited patiently while the boys ran the 300 meter hurdles before her race began. As she was watching, the lead running tripped on one of the hurdles, causing him to fall. Fratzscher couldn't help but cringe, as falling during a race was her worst fear.
As she stepped up to the starting line, all eyes were on Fratzscher because she was the only person running in this event. As the race began, she felt comfortable and confident going over each hurdle in perfect stride. On the fifth hurdle, she realized that her stride wasn't she attempted to go over the hurdle with her non-dominate leg, causing her to hit the hurdle and fall to the ground. After realizing she was alright and hearing the cheers of her teammates, Fratzscher got up and continued the race. As she approached the last hurdle, her stride was once again off, and she fell for a second time, right before the finish line. Once again, the cheers and encouragement of her teammates made it easy for Fratzscher to get up and finish the race.
As Fratzscher reflects on this bizarre race, where she fell twice and still finished first, she comments, "That was the first time I had ever fallen, so I feared the next hurdle. However, with the support of my team and coaches, I was able to overcome that initial skepticism and complete the race."
Be sure to cheer on Anne Sophie and the entire track and field team as they host the ISL Championships Friday and Saturday May 13 & 14. Click here for the full track and field schedule.