The track and field team has been active throughout the spring season with participation in a variety of events including sprints, distance runs, jumps and throws.
The team continued their training routine while working to improve individual and group performance. “I think the season has gone well so far, but a lot of people have joined the team, so there is a lot of room for potential,” junior Bryson Filbert said.
With a team size larger than in previous years, athletes faced the challenge of standing out in their events while also adjusting to team dynamics. Coaches worked to group athletes by event and skill level during practices to make the most of the limited practice time. As the season progressed, athletes were able to identify areas of growth and focus on sharpening their techniques for upcoming meets.
Practices took place regularly throughout the week, requiring athletes to manage demanding workouts alongside academic responsibilities. Training sessions were tailored to specific events: distance runners focused on endurance through long runs and pacing drills, sprinters worked on speed and starts, and field athletes practiced form, power and coordination. “They’ve helped us build our fitness and mental strength, which are both crucial for performing well in meets, especially during championship season,” senior Rendon Yerman said.
Athletes were encouraged to track their individual progress using Athletic.net, a database that stores all of the times run. Coaches emphasized the importance of goal setting and reflecting on performance at meets. Some athletes began the season with limited experience in their events but gradually improved their times or distances through targeted feedback and repetition in practice. Filbert set personal records in the 100 meter and 200 meter races running a 11.80 and a 23.94 in both events. “As a basketball and football player primarily, I picked up track for the first time to get faster, and it has helped me a lot,” junior Bryan Ngouzo said.
While performance and technique were a major focus, teamwork also played an important role in the season. At meets, teammates could be heard cheering each other on from the sidelines, offering words of encouragement before races, and sharing post-race feedback. Runners credited their relay teammates with keeping them accountable during training. Field athletes often helped one another with timing and positioning during practice. “I remember last year there was a rain delay at one of our meets and we had a huge dance battle in the auditorium against the other school,” Filbert said.
The team is preparing for its final stretch of competitions as the season continues. The 3A West Regional Championships will take place on May 13 and May 15 and the 3A State Championships will be on May 23. The team’s high notes also were at the Trojan Invite where they finished sixth in the men’s division, at the DMV Wildcat Invitation where they finished 11th, and at the Linganore Invitational where they finished 13th in the women’s division.
