The boys and girls track teams finally returned to having full indoor and outdoor seasons after two years of shortened seasons. In 2020, the season was cut short during the indoor season due to the rise of COVID-19 and in 2021, the sports team was forced to compete only during their outdoor season. 

Head boys coach Steven Stack was particularly excited for the seniors who got to have a full season for their final year of high school. 

“And I think it’s really exciting for the seniors to get to have a whole season,” Stack said. 

For both teams, the biggest obstacle is the lack of indoor space. The weather during the indoor season prevents them from practicing outside. 

“We have too many teams for the facility that we have,” head girls coach Phil Allen said. “So it’s getting creative. We train in hallways, we throw in small balconies.” 

Despite these difficulties, both teams feel prepared for the meets. 

“We’ve got some super talented runners who have been seeming pretty motivated this year,” senior Owen Foster said. 

The teams are larger due to the number of events. However, they find ways to come together. 

“We have pasta parties and do tie dying together,” said junior Mackenzie Schrom. “We didn’t have them last year because of COVID, but they’re coming back.” 

From the coach’s perspective, they find this team building highly important.

“We put a big priority and emphasis on doing team building and back to team meals and team activities, just to try to build our culture,” Allen said. “I feel like our kids really enjoyed doing some of our team building stuff. And they’ve come in with an eager attitude every day, a volunteer mindset.”

Like many sports, the seniors are central to the team culture. 

“What I’m most proud of is just how well the seniors are leading this team to a really good place,” Stack said. “You have this tremendous diversity of athletes and goals, but all coming together for the good sake of the team.” 

The track team goes to state May 28 and 29.