Track team working hard to finish the season strong

By Spencer Bodow

Imagine trying to bake a cake without an oven, or take a picture without a camera. It’s difficult to prepare something when you don’t have the proper equipment. The track team has become quite familiar with this statement as they continue to practice without a track. But just because it’s difficult, does not mean it’s impossible. After all, it is called track and field and there’s a lot you can do with a field.

Coach Doc Hickernell works with the team's distance runners.
Coach Doc Hickernell works with the team’s distance runners.

The team is currently practicing at Meyer and Hollis parks where they are making the most of their situation to improve their crafts. Practices consist mostly of perfecting the team’s running technique and then using it again and again. There are a lot of small, specific movements that go into running as fast as possible that the team has learned from practices.

But the practices wouldn’t mean much if the team didn’t get to use what they learned in competition. The meets are where the athletes get to perform on a track and showcase their skills.

Thus far, the team has been focused on beating personal records. They were able to compete against some of the top high schools earlier this season and saw what they needed to compete at a high level. There’s still more work they need to put in, but they believe they can be one of the top teams in their division if they do.

They have been able to see some of the other teams in their division at a couple of meets at Bourgade Catholic. “The Bourgade meets went well. They were nice starting points. They allowed us to compete on a track as well as compete with other schools,” said Senior Louis Ternyik.

Louis is one of the top hurdlers and javelin throwers in both the division and in school history. While many other athletes are focused on improving every day, Louis, as a senior, has his sights set on making sure this is his best year. He has a chance to break records and it is fun to watch as a fan and inspiring for his teammates to practice with someone with his skill.