Junior Natalia Piszczatowski is a track and field athlete who competes in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track for Townsend Harris. When Natalia first stepped onto the track during her freshman year, she was brand new to the sport. Natalia progressed from having no prior experience to competing in the New York State Championships this year and has set new personal bests and records each season.
Before entering THHS, Natalia had never formally participated in sports. However, she “wanted to do a sport so badly,” and after trying out for the volleyball team in the beginning of her freshman year and not making it, she decided to join the track and field team instead. Natalia said, “I never ran a day in my life before I began high school, and so I didn’t know if it would work out at first, but the amazing team I had really motivated me to stay, and now I couldn’t imagine quitting the team.”
Over her three consecutive years of competition, Natalia has continued to grow and improve. This year, she has demonstrated outstanding performances in every Queens Borough Championship she has participated in. She placed first in the cross country 5K, second in the indoor track 1500 meter and 3000 meter runs and helped the indoor track 4×800 meter relay team secure second place.
During this year’s cross country season, Natalia earned a first-place finish at boroughs. Following this, Natalia’s individual performance helped propel her team to an 8th-place overall team finish in the girls city championship 5K. Through this event, she was able to qualify for and compete in the New York State Championship cross country 5K, becoming the only member of her team to advance to states.
Teammate and sophomore Sena Shew said that Natalia is exceptionally consistent at practice and puts in extra work to get stronger, such as weightlifting on her own time. Sena said that “this consistency in her work ethic shows up as her having a big lead on everyone at practice or during races.”
Alongside her talent, Natalia is known by her teammates for her positivity. Sena said that Natalia is “super sweet, positive, and bright, so being around her brightens everyone up.” Similarly, junior captain Tabassum Ahmed said that Natalia “always brings such a supportive energy to the team.”
Natalia credits much of her drive to the team’s dynamic. She said that her teammates’ company makes it easier to push through difficult moments. “I have someone to push me, someone to tell me to keep going when my mind tells me to stop, and someone to impress, as well,” she said.
Teammate and sophomore Kelsey Ko said, “Natalia is always so full of energy and brings the vibes up whenever we’re tired. She’s so hardworking and dedicated to the team.”
However, Natalia’s athletic journey was not seamless. Natalia said she faced the “humbling and frustrating” challenge of an athletic plateau, where putting in lots of effort and training hard doesn’t result in progress. Teammate and sophomore Naomi Vender-Wilson said, “She never took a break because she thought that a break would slow her progress.”
According to Natalia, “Staying consistent, trusting [her] body to overcome the plateau, and talking to [her] coach about training a different way,” alongside her mindset of “just keep doing your best,” was key to overcoming this challenge. Naomi said, “she seems to be giving herself more credit recently, acknowledging that some days, the circumstances simply won’t be in her favor… she seems happier with herself and her progress.”
As a three-season athlete, Natalia needs to balance her academic and athletic responsibilities in order to find success in both aspects of her life. “It’s super difficult to maintain good grades and a good sleep schedule while also showing up to practice each day, but you just have to focus on your priorities,” she said. Despite these challenges, Natalia said that having the opportunity to participate in track is worth the effort, and said, “Every student athlete I know would say the same thing, no matter the sport.”
Natalia’s journey hasn’t been easy, but she insists it is “so worth it.” Reflecting on her decision to join track and field almost three years ago, Natalia said, “As they say, when one door closes, another opens. And most often than not, that other door is the best decision you’re ever going to make.”
