Notre Dame Track and Field 2024 Season Preview(CA)

As the track and field season approaches, excitement and anticipation fill the air for the Notre Dame team. With a solid group of returning athletes and promising new additions, the team is poised for success under the guidance of Head Coach Dustin Le. I had the pleasure of speaking with Coach Le about his team and his expectations for the upcoming season, and what he shared reveals a deep passion for the sport and a strong belief in his team's potential. Coach Le's overarching goal for the team this year is clear - to win league and have a combined 10 athletes compete at CIF. But he also emphasizes the importance of each athlete finding their own motivation and understanding their "why" – why they push themselves to be their best on the track and in life. This focus on intrinsic motivation and self-belief is a key component of his coaching philosophy and sets the tone for the team's mindset going into the season. One of the team's top returners is senior Narcisse Batantu, who set a school record in the long jump back in 2023 that stood unbroken for an impressive 45 years. Another standout is Deon Jordan, a senior with one of the fastest times in California in the 100m. On the women's side, Coach Le is excited about the potential of sophomore Flor Castanon, who competes in the 800m and 1600m events, as well as junior Sara Sanchez, who leads the 400m and the 4x400 relay team. Coach Le describes these four athletes as special, noting their attention to detail, focus, and eagerness to ask questions and learn. In addition to these top returners, Coach Le is also confident in the impact of new additions to the team. On the women's side, he expects immediate contributions from Emalyssa Machuca and Sydney Cramer. On the men's side, he believes Diego Sanchez, Shad Carrasco, and Kaden Tennyson will make a strong impact. These athletes possess the qualities that Coach Le looks for in his team – the ability to bring people together, lift each other up, and constantly motivate each other. Team chemistry and camaraderie are also key components of Notre Dame's success on the track. Coach Le plans to utilize off-weeks to organize team bonding nights, building a strong sense of unity and support among the athletes.