Since he joined track freshman year, rising senior David Kolaczko has been a valuable member of the boys track team.

His introduction to track comes from a strong family legacy: David’s mother was a national-level runner in Poland, and his cousin was a successful pole vaulter who competed at the state level. “The thing that inspired me to start doing track was the deep connection my family already has with running,” David said. “My mom was very insistent on me joining track, trying to teach me to love the sport the same way she does.”

It is because of this he felt compelled to join track freshman year and went on to excel on the team.

David said his proudest moment so far came at the borough championships during his sophomore year, where he and his relay team won gold in the 4×800 meters. “We were all training for this race day as if it was no other, pouring our hearts and souls into practice,” he said. “Once we got there, we all realized a change in the atmosphere. There was no longer any stress. We were here to win it, and win it we did.” His ability to change the atmosphere and help his teammates was also shown during this year’s Penn relays. His teammate Tristan said: “He made sure the team was ready to perform, and not only that but made it an extremely fun experience with his attitude toward trying new things.”

David said  his toughest challenge came during his freshman year, when his uncle, one of his biggest motivators, passed away. “I had no motivation to run, and it showed,” he said. “My times weren’t improving, and race days just looked like repeats of lose and lose again.” But something changed in him. “I realized I’m not only running for myself now, but I’m also running for my uncle. The one man I looked up to is now part of me in a way like no other.”

That shift fueled a season-ending comeback where David earned a top-10 freshman ranking in the entire city. As his teammate Tristan said, “People outside of track don’t see and appreciate his persistence. They don’t see David staying strong after running three of the hardest races in a single day.”

“David has a great work ethic,” said rising senior Shaw Williams. “He often goes on morning runs before school and always inspires his teammates to do their best. Even during meets and practice, when everyone’s exhausted, he somehow still has the energy to cheer us on.” That kind of energy and commitment led to David becoming a track captain.