“Treagles on three!”

Mathias Maurin

For the first time in Dalat history, the track team (known as the Treagles (Track Eagles)) travelled to compete in ACSC. The momentous meet was held in Taichung, Taiwan on Morrison Academy’s campus. The Treagles trained all season for this highly anticipated event, faithfully attending three practices a week and the occasional weekend track meet.

Upon arrival in Taiwan, the Dalat students were immediately treated to a bustling night market, despite their exhausting day of travel. Led by Mandarin-speaking Morrison students, the Treagles had their fill of the finest Taiwanese street food.

When they arrived at Morrison’s campus after dinner, the team had a debrief on the track on which they’d be running the following days. Floodlights illuminated Joseph Chandra (9) as he encouraged the athletes—reminding them that their abilities were from God and that they’d be competing for his glory. After a mighty Treagles chant and a terrifying squawk, the tired team went to the dorms to get some rest.

The following evening featured the first events of the weekend: javelin and the 1600-meter medley relay. As the final Dalat runners sped to the finishing line, the Treagles howled and cheered, congratulating the athletes despite the biting cold and bitter rain. The following day was packed with track and field events, and Dalat students performed extremely well.

Most students would agree that the best part of the trip was not the running or throwing but the time spent together with their teammates. Jonathan Lafferty (12) said, “It was great to hang out with my track teammates outside of school. We drank copious amounts of bubble tea, played violent hand-slapping card games, and cheered each other on enthusiastically in our races!”

The Treagles returned to Penang with thirteen medals and a second place trophy for the team competition, but they gained more than prizes. They gained a treasure that doesn’t perish: deeper relationships.