MEHNAZ RUKSANA, staff writer
Track, a sport that began centuries ago, consists of athletes competing in different types of running races, such as 200m dash or relay races. Its counterpart, field, consists of throwing and jumping sports such as the pole vault, long jump, javelin and discus. Track and field can be an individual sport or a team sport depending on the event.
Before the official season, the team has triweekly conditioning so students can prepare and minimize the risk of injuries. The team conditioned on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The official season begins on January 20, 2015, and practices will take place everyday after school from 3:45 to 5:30 p.m. under the instruction of social studies teacher and head coach Mr. Bill Waters and other assistant coaches.
“With our new sprinting coach and our dedicated long distance coaches the team is already working hard to make ours goals a reality,” said junior and returning athlete Rachel Wozniak.
With a great deal of dedication and passion, students compete their best at the track meets, held periodically throughout the season. This year, meets will be held at local and out-of-state locations. Students in the past have been successful during important meets against area competitors such as Northview and Chattahoochee, as well as other invitational meets like the Disney Track and Field Showcase, which will be held this year on Saturday March 20-21, 2015.
“I’m most looking forward to making lots of memories with my track friends and enjoying my senior year,” said new member Anita Qualls.
After all the weeks of intensive training, the hardworking students hope to do well this season and improve from past season results by breaking school records and personal bests.
“My expectations are that kids work hard and try to improve by challenging themselves. I want them to be the best they could possibly be,” said Coach Bill Waters.
