The spring outdoor track team’s tryouts have just ended and the team is preparing for the season. Runners on the team are training consistently for their first scrimmage on Mar. 22 at Linganore High School. After that, their following match is scheduled for Mar. 25 vs. Whitman.
High school track is a demanding and dynamic sport that brings a challenge to athletes both physically and mentally. The sport has a wide range of events, including sprints, short, middle and long distance races, relays, and field events like long jump, throw and others. Each event requires its own skill, training techniques and strategies for success.
The coaches are expecting players to be somewhat experienced when running matches and for runners to be putting in their best effort as the season progresses. Showing up to practice, to meets, and going to the gym on their own are ways runners can meet coaches’ expectations.
Sprinters have four coaches this season: Coach Mo, Coach B, Coach Joe, and Coach Cassie. For sprinters, explosive speed and powerful starts are crucial. Runners train extensively every day after school to perfect their form, reaction time and acceleration. Sprinters must also develop muscular strength and flexibility to perform their best. This season, sprinters are running 100, 200 and the 400-meter races.
Middle and long-distance runners focus heavily on endurance, pacing, and mental strength. Training routines often include interval workouts, tempo runs, and extensive mileage to build stamina and maintain a steady race pace.“Pacing is everything when you’re running long distances. If you start too fast, you’ll burn out, but if you start too slow, you’ll never catch up,” runner and sophomore Khalil Sutherlin said.
Leila Alam is a sprinter who is committed to her sport and is considered one of the best runners on the team. She runs the 100, 200, 400 and the 4×2 races.
Field events like throw and discus require power, precision and technical skill. Athletes must perfect their form to generate maximum force and control. Jumping events like high jump and long jump focus on agility, explosiveness and timing. “It’s all about getting your steps perfect before the jump,” sophomore and field competitor Jude Ampofo said.
Churchill and Bethesda Chevy-Chase are both high schools that are considered this season’s track teams biggest competition, because both schools have had runners qualify for big competitions.
The track season is filled with meets that test athletes’ progress and determination. From dual meets to invitationals and regional qualifiers, every race is an opportunity to improve and push personal limits. Athletes often strive to achieve personal records, helping both their team and themselves stand out to potential college recruiters.
For dedicated athletes, track can offer opportunities beyond high school. “I definitely think a lot of people at our school who take track seriously enough aspire to go to college for it, and they probably train so hard for it,” Ampofo said.
