Doing sports when you’re an underclassman can be a challenge. This is especially true for track, because of the huge number of new people you will meet, and the new challenges you will face first starting out in highschool. Track can be a satisfying experience for younger runners in different ways: challenging yourself, becoming more patient, and gaining discipline.
Track can help you become mentally strong at a young age, which can be very important. This challenge can really help you obtain a stronger mindset for the rest of your life.
“I enjoy running track because it is able to push me mentally and physically, teaching me how to face adversity,” says middle distance runner Alex Hastie (‘29).
Track meets are really important: this is where you try to meet your goals. However, track meets are also fun, competing alongside your friends.
“I enjoy running track because of constantly seeing improvement, along with it just being a great experience overall,” says sprinter Devonte Horton (‘29).
When running track, athletes don’t always see immediate improvement. However, working with coaches and working through practices with teammates can be really beneficial to improving. Over the season, athletes grow and become more familiar with the atmosphere at meets, and practices.
Coaches are there to support you through every little detail on improving your speed and stamina. This is the part of where hitting your goals really kicks in. Working on what your coaches tell you will help you improve throughout the season.
“Coach Kessler and Greke have helped me with running techniques throughout this season,” says middle distance runner Jayde Davis (‘29).
Listening to coaches really makes a difference. “This year I broke the record for the 8th fastest mile time as a freshman at Skyline,” says distance runner Anton Kwaiser (‘29).
The track season can go all year around through cross country in the fall and indoor track during the winter helps with making friends. Being able to gain these relationships is great especially when you are just starting out as a freshman or you’re looking to meet new people as a sophomore.
“I think a big part of the track team is being with the same people throughout the year so you can build a really good relationship with them,” says Kwaiser.
