HERE AT THE HEART
Running with Perseverance
At an annual track meet hosted at Sacred Heart , seminarians celebrated healthy competition , community , and pursuing excellence in all areas of life .
Editorial Team
Back in 2015 , several Sacred Heart seminarians , who also happened to be avid runners , envisioned seminary-wide track meet , creating some healthy competition between the various dioceses represented at Sacred Heart and an opportunity for the community , athletes and spectators alike , to come together for a memorable event .
Now , seven years later , Zachary Mazurek , a long-time runner and seminarian for the Diocese of Marquette , continues to bring that vision to life . Mazurek , who competed in track in middle school and high school , has been organizing the event for the last three years .
This year , the track meet featured 25 seminarians and an additional 20 watched or volunteered for the event . The runners competed in six individual races : 1 mile run , 800 meter run , 400 meter dash , 200 meter dash , 100 meter dash , and shot-put . There were also two relays : the 4x400 and the 4x100 . In the 4x400 relay , although placed at the end of a tiring day , runners left it all on the track and two teams were separated by less than a second as they crossed the finish line .
A day spent on the track for these seminarians brings out a competitive spirit that doesn ’ t just apply to athletic efforts . The commitment to growth , to pushing to go further , to remaining dedicated to give one ’ s best effort always yields victory both on the track , and in their formation as seminarians . Mazurek noted , “ As seminarians , we are challenged to grow in our capacity to love , pushed to strive after truth in the intellectual rigor of the classroom , and grow in docility in our prayer to listen to the voice of the Lord .” As they continue to run the race through their discernment and vocational calls , Sacred Heart seminarians will allow opportunities like these to remind them to keep their “ eyes fixed on Jesus , the leader and perfecter of our faith .” ( Hebrews 12:2 ). shms . edu 37