For most high school athletes, track season is a test of endurance, skill, and personal growth. For Ruby Frazier and Ethan McPherson, it became something even more: a chance to attend the Nike Indoor Nationals at the Nike Track & Field Center at New York City’s Armory March 12-15.

This premier high school indoor track meet is hosted by the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation, which brings together elite athletes for high-level competition. It featured events like the 60-meter dash, the pole vault, in which McPherson competed, and the 5k, in which Frazier competed.

The journey for these athletes began long before the roar of the crowd at state meets. They spent countless hours on the track or in trails, focusing on speed, form, and endurance.

“Track is a tough sport, and you have to take it seriously and put in a lot of effort if you want to succeed. I’ve put in a lot of work this past year trying to make it to Nationals, and now that I have finally made it, all of that work feels great and for sure worth it,” said McPherson. “The competition was great, and even though nobody knew each other, we all acted like friends towards one another. I am very happy about how I did. I wish I had done a little better, but that’s just how it goes sometimes,” he added.

Qualifying for Nationals is not a small feat. Across the country, thousands of high school athletes compete in regional and state competitions, but few performers earn the chance to compete at a national event like this. For Frazier and McPherson, this is not just recognition of their talent; it is proof that discipline, perseverance, and focus pay off.

“I tried not to put too much pressure on myself. It was just straight gimmicks that I ran the 5k because I’m definitely more of a miler,” Frazier said.

In the end, McPherson placed 6th out of 45 in the pole vault, while Frazier placed 5th out of 22 in the 5k.