Moorpark College’s women’s track team is a program that allows the girls’ love for running to develop. Running to some may seem like an awful way to workout, but for the girls of MC Track, it allows them to reflect upon how running has shaped who they’ve become.

Stephanie Sperry, a sophomore, has been around running since the age of three. She was raised around her older sisters who competed and it was just something that became part of her life from an early age.

“Running is something I grew into and up with,” said Sperry. “It’s a piece of me that travels with me wherever I go.”

For sophomore Sierra Kapin, running was something she did with her father when she was little. They would go on runs to race each other and it progressed to be much more than a hobby.

“[Running] was something I knew I wanted as soon as I was apart of a team,” said Kapin. “It wasn’t a question anymore, it just made sense.”

Kapin and Sperry both grew up in Simi Valley and were on Simi High Cross-Country and Track & Field. Once they graduated they enrolled in Moorpark College and knew that they would continue to run collegiately. Kapin competes in the 1500, 3000, and 5000 meter races and Sperry runs the 800 and 1500 meter as well.

“Moorpark’s program is much different that what we were used to,” said Sperry. “A 20 girl team as opposed a 60 girl team allows us to form closer relationships than we did before.”

Since there are so few girls, each runner is able to have the one-on-one time they need with the coaching staff. Attention from coaches is easy to come by and helps to unite the team.

Forming connections with girls who share the same love for running as they do, the pair says that running has also allowed them to use their sport to gain insight that could blend into other areas of their life.

“Running has made me way stronger,” said Kapin. “It changed the way I work and set goals. I learned that it’s important to strive for something.”

Running has been a unforgettable experience for the two and continues to teach them life lessons that have built their mindset.

“I’ve realized that mentality influences your performance,” said Sperry. “It all comes down to how much you want it.”