Triumphant Track Trailblazer: Mikoto Araki-Siegenfeld

This spring on the track, Mikoto Araki-Siegenfeld ’26 will serve as a captain for track and field. She mainly runs the 400-meter dash, though she also participates in the 200m and 800m events. She leads the team with co-captains Vera Okyere ’26, Malini Parikh ’26, Lukas Roberts ’27, Henry Weinstein ’26, and Bodhi Chiravuri ’26.

When recalling the beginning of her track career, Araki-Siegenfeld noted that she did not start running track until 10th grade, though she started cross country in J-school. She declared, “[Cross country] was my first sport, and I joined track because of it... I came to track because I thought I would be better at shorter runs.” At first, Araki-Siegenfeld was “someone who had a lot of questions about the sport,” as History Teacher and Varsity Track and Field Head Coach Margaret Coons recounted. Two seasons later, Coons sees her as “someone who is now able to share her own experience and skills with younger runners.” Anoa Dawson ’28 described Araki-Siegenfeld’s development as a runner and a person: “She became serious about running. She improved tremendously by doing workouts, even when they were hard, and persevering." 

Upon the subject of Mikoto’s growth as a leader, Vivian Huang ’28 asserted, “When Mikoto first joined, she was already hardworking, but over time she’s become someone who not only focuses on her own training but also pays attention to how everyone else is doing and helps bring the team together.” Coons also described Araki-Siegenfeld’s leadership and why she is fit to be captain: “Mikoto brings effervescent enthusiasm to the team. I have actually had to remind her not to run all over the place during a meet to cheer for her teammates in their many events because I want her to save her legs for her races. This devotion to the team is why I am so excited to have her as a captain this spring.” Dawson said, “Her advocacy [makes her a good captain]. Also, she speaks her mind, and is not scared whenever any challenges come her way. She always finds a way to overcome them.” Amelia Hudonogov-Foster ’26 added, “Her positivity is contagious, and she always makes sure everyone is having fun while still putting in their best work.” Zoe Robinson ’28 agreed, “Mikoto's energy and enthusiasm set her apart from everyone else. She shows up to practice with a smile and a contagious laugh that makes practice feel so much more fun!”

Araki-Siegenfeld has exhibited her talent on big stages. At the New England Girls’ Track and Field Championship last year, Araki-Siegenfeld excelled. She earned a medal in the individual 400-meter event by placing sixth, and placed fourth with her team in the group 400-meter relay after being seeded seventh. Reflecting on her accomplishments, Araki-Siegenfeld said, “It was really cool to actually earn medals. In tenth grade, I would have never expected to win anything. It was really cool because I worked all of tenth grade to get better for junior year, so to see that hard work pay off felt full circle.” 

When discussing how Araki-Siegenfeld works with her team, Coons commented, “What sets Mikoto apart is her eagerness (not just willingness) to work hard on the track. She excitedly asks for speed workouts and seeks out feedback on form and strategy. She consistently asks for more opportunities to compete, improve her times, and score for her team.” Hudonogov-Foster stated, “She's the hardest worker I know. While the rest of us are constantly trying to get out of warm-ups and practices, she shows up every time and puts in her best effort instead of taking the easy route.” Beyond her strong work ethic, Araki-Siegenfeld is a role model and mentor for her teammates. She shared some valuable advice: “[It is important to] stick to something when working to improve.” Correspondingly, Araki-Siegenfeld earned the cross-country award for sportsmanship and dedication last fall. Later in the discussion of her growth, she stated, “When I realized I could be good at track and that it was meant for me, it gave me something to devote myself to. Before that, I never really poured myself into anything besides academics. [Track] really gave my life balance, and I was really grateful to have a place to come to after school every day.” 

At the end of junior year, Araki-Siegenfeld decided that she wanted to pursue track in college: “After junior year, I made the decision to try to run track in college because I realized how much of an important part of high school it was to me.”After Hopkins, Araki-Siegenfeld will study psychology and legal studies at the University of Rochester. In Rochester, she will continue her track career at the Division Three Level on the Women’s Track and Field Team.