The York Suburban track team is well-known for its accomplishments and dedication. As the winter seasons come to a close, spring sports such as track are right around the corner. There is much excitement surrounding the upcoming season and all 100 track members eagerly prepare for the much-anticipated season. Head coach Dave Wickenheiser is gearing up for the season.
The official track season started March 2. Students have been preparing for track for several weeks with rigorous training. The team will have practice Monday through Friday and some Saturdays. Also, three times per the week the team will be doing weight training.
Particular athletes have their own workouts in mind. Freshman Madelyn Whitney said she will be doing calf raises, and freshman Stone Shetter said, “I will be going to track pre-season, and I’m going to start running to/from my girlfriend’s house when I go.”
For some track athletes, training will only increase in difficulty. Wickenheiser said, “For our sprinters they will do some long runs and then as the season progresses we shorten the distances but intensify the time or how fast kids run.”
Distance runners have also been putting forward much effort in pre-season. Wickenheiser said, “Our distance runners are probably the ones who work the hardest — they’re putting the most time and effort in.”
Track events will include: sprint races (100m, 200m and 400m dashes), hurdles (100m for girls and 110m for boys, 300m for both boys and girls), distance races (800m, 1600m, 3200m), three relay races (400m, 1600m, 3200m relays), and field events (throwing, javelin, shot put, discus, and jumping events).
Even though there is still much practice and training to be held, the team already has their minds set on goals. Whitney said, “I will be improving my form of running and jumping.” Whitney will be doing pole vault and high jump. However, Whitney isn’t the only one setting goals. Freshman Bodhi Wilson said, “I’m going to try and increase my times in my events and heights on my jumps.”
All the athletes are putting forth their maximum effort. Wickenheiser said, “Our goal as staff is to see athletes improve.” However, both coaches and athletes share one goal in particular. Wickenheiser added, “I know as a team their goal is to go undefeated.
The team is trying to get as many kids qualified for distance and states as possible. Before states, the team is anticipating a meet against Eastern York, who has been a rival against York Suburban for a long time. The Eastern meet is the second-to-last meet of the season and is a deciding factor for states.
There is a long road to states for the track team. They will continue working hard until then. The track team’s first meet will be March 20 at the high school against Southwestern.