Success in track and field is often measured in seconds, inches, and podium finishes. But for the Savannah Arts Academy Track Teams, this remarkable season was about much more than records and medals—it was about growth, leadership, resilience, and the power of a team working toward a common goal.

The 2026 season will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most successful in program history. Under the leadership of Coach Katie Balthrop, who proudly calls Ardsley Park home, the Panthers shattered expectations and rewrote the record books.

Among the season's highlights were four new school records, ten podium finishes at the state championships, a state title in the girls' 4x800-meter relay, and an individual state championship by junior distance standout Francie Tedder in the 1600-meter run. The girls team also earned an impressive fourth-place overall finish at the state meet while adding numerous performances to the school's all-time Top 10 list. 

The SAA boys team also had a standout season, with 10 individual performances and three relay teams earning spots in the school's all-time Top 10. The team also sent two athletes to the state championships—a remarkable accomplishment considering the roster consisted of just 12 to 15 athletes, all of them underclassmen.

While those accomplishments earned headlines, Coach Balthrop believes the true success of the program goes far beyond medals and record books. Behind every podium finish were months of steady improvement, commitment, and personal growth that often went unnoticed by anyone outside the team.

"Every time an athlete gets a new personal record, we celebrate it," she explains. "Learning to compete against the clock and improve yourself is more important than trying to beat whoever else is on the starting line that day. We had athletes who improved every time they competed, and that shows them their hard work pays off."

That mindset helped create a culture where every athlete's progress mattered.

This year's team was also unique because it had no seniors who competed for the full season, placing leadership responsibilities squarely on the shoulders of its junior captains: Francie Tedder, Walter Yang, Calleigh Peterson, and Olivia Selders.

Coach Balthrop watched those young leaders embrace the challenge.

"Our captains did a great job leading with confidence and by example," she says. "They were consistent in their effort and performances, led warmups and cooldowns, recognized teammates after meets, volunteered for carpools, and assisted with communication. It was great to see them lead authentically and earn the respect of their teammates."

For team captain Francie Tedder, the season reinforced the idea that success is never truly individual.

"One thing track has taught me is that no achievement is really individual," Tedder says. "Every accomplishment I've had has been possible because of the training partners who made me better every day."

Tedder credits the team's state championship 4x800 relay as one of the season's defining achievements.

"We were focusing on a 4x800 state title, which taught me how important it is to put team goals alongside personal ones," she says. "It was pretty exciting to break the school record this year, and I look forward to continuing the legacy of Savannah Arts distance success."

Fellow captain Walter Yang discovered that leadership often happens quietly.

"Being a leader is more about being a role model and setting the standard rather than being the loudest person on the team," Yang says. "The best growth comes from growing with others and taking pride in the success of the team while maintaining a positive attitude through difficult moments."

Yang believes the lessons learned through track extend far beyond athletics.

"Through hard work, discipline, and mutual encouragement, I've been motivated to consistently challenge myself in different ways, and that mindset has certainly made a difference in my academic pursuits."

Captain Calleigh Peterson echoed the importance of teamwork and collaboration.

"This season I learned that in order to be a leader, you have to be able to collaborate," Peterson says. "I worked hard with my coaches, teammates, and fellow captains to create an environment that not only supported my peers but inspired them every day. We are a family at the end of the day, and families can't function if everyone isn't on the same page working toward the same goal.”

The season wasn't without adversity. Midway through the year, the program suffered a difficult setback when one of its most talented boys athletes sustained a major injury.

"It's heartbreaking for the athlete and heartbreaking for a coach," says Balthrop. "All we want is to see these kids succeed."

Even through challenges, the team remained focused on the habits that lead to long-term success. Balthrop emphasizes that what happens away from competition is often what determines performance on race day.

"We've worked with this team on being disciplined with sleep, nutrition, listening to their bodies, communicating with us when something doesn't feel right, and mentally preparing for races and field events," she says.

That commitment is particularly impressive considering the demanding schedules Savannah Arts students balance each day. Alongside rigorous academics, many athletes are deeply involved in their artistic majors, clubs, and extracurricular activities.

Behind the scenes, the program also benefits from an exceptional group of parents.

"Running track at Savannah Arts is a huge commitment," Balthrop says. "We don't have our own track, so we rely on families every day for transportation, supplies, food for meets, and support. We simply couldn't do this without them."

Perhaps the most exciting part of this story is that it's far from over.

With every athlete returning next season, the future looks exceptionally bright for Savannah Arts Track and Field. The coaching staff is already setting ambitious goals, including pursuing collegiate opportunities for several athletes and chasing qualifying marks for prestigious events such as the Penn Relays and Nike Nationals.

"I'm excited to have our full team returning for 2027," says Balthrop. "We'll have strong leaders and amazing talent in our upperclassmen, and I'm excited to help them become the best version of themselves both on and off the track."

After a season filled with state titles, school records, and unforgettable performances, one thing is clear: the Savannah Arts Track and Field Program has built something special. Their success isn't simply measured by medals—it is measured by the culture they've created, the standards they've raised, and the example they're setting for the next generation of Panthers.