BOYS TRACK

RACE TO THE FINISH

Boys track and field begin season after loss of most of indoor season

BY KEELEY BERNARD co-sports editor

After missing a year of competition due to COVID-19, the boys track and field team is finally back to competing again. A year off can cause a bit of rust, but head coach Nicholas Bruno helped the team to a good start.

“So far the season has been a great success,” Bruno said. “After losing a whole year of competition, it is a win for everyone on the team to be able to come back after a whole year off and have a season. We are off to a very good start, winning our first two meets and traveling to and winning the Marion Relay Invite.”

Like Bruno, long distance coach Erik Forehand shares the same sentiments about the team’s season.

“Our season is off to a great start as we entered the second week of competition 8-0. As with most teams, we haven’t come close to our potential as we continue to move guys around on lineups to compile up the most points we can in a meet,” Forehand said.

Bruno believes that a big reason why the team has had such a good start to the season is because of their hard training and dedication.

“The training schedule for each event is different,” Bruno said. “As a team, we practice four days a week plus we use Saturday’s as well if we do not have a meet. Each event coach has the workout and training plan ready to go each day, but if an athlete competes in multiple events, the coaches communicate and work together on a collaborative training plan.”

Training has become especially important this season as the team tries to make up for the lost time due to the pandemic. Although this year the team can actually have a season, the season is still affected by COVID-19 and the rules and regulations due to it.

“COVID-19 has changed our season in a few ways,” Bruno said. “We canceled all indoor meets besides one at Lake Central. At that meet, there were no spectators. Now that we are in the outdoor season, specta-

Sophomore Jacob Bell runs the second leg of 4x800m at a home track meet on April 6 against Michigan City and Munster.

(Top) Sophomore Jeffrey Leohr jumps over hurdles on April 6.

(Right) Senior Orion White leads the pack in the 800m on April 6. PHOTOS BY EMILY HELMUTH

tors are allowed, but are still expected to follow the guidelines of social distancing, wearing a mask, etc. As for practice, even though we are outside and can spread out, each athlete still have their mask with them to wear in close contact situations. We are taking as many precautions as a team to make sure we get to finish the season strong.”

Senior Cole Simmons elaborates on what he missed with the loss of indoor season. He also adds that he believes although these COVID-19 precautions can be irritating at times, it is worth it to avoid missing the outdoor season as well.

“I didn’t have the chance to compete at indoor state, which is my favorite track to run on.” Simmons said. “We’ve lost a couple important guys due to contact tracing, but managed to squeeze out some wins without them. Wearing masks on the bus after a meet can also be pretty annoying at times, but I’m glad we have a season,”

Despite the enforced changes due to COVID-19 guidelines, the coaches’ goals for the team have not changed or lowered from last season. The expectations are still high.

“As a team, we would like to make a run at the DAC title, and advance as many guys as possible to the regional and state meet,” Forehand said.

The athletes also have high expectations for themselves. Many of them, such as freshman Weston Hulen, have made goals of beating their personal records and heading to the state finals.

“My personal goal for this season is to hit 4:29 In the 1600m. My 3200m goal is to hit 9:50 this year and my 800m goal is to hit 2:05. Our team goal is to make it to state finals,” Hulen said.

Sophomore Kade Honickel shares his goals for the season as well.

“I want to break 4:40 for the mile and get a 10:05 for the two mile,” Honickel said. “I also want us to reach regionals as a team or get to semi-state, that would be great as well. We have the skill. We just need to use it on the track.”

Reaching these goals will take the whole teams’ effort, dedication and motivation. According to Honickel, the team encourages each other in order to achieve their goals.

“We encourage each other by motivating each other during practice and also we complement each other to raise our spirits,” Honickel said.

The team will hope to meet their goals and perform well at the DAC meet on Wednesday at home at 4:30 p.m. ‘‘ I want to break 4:40 for the mile and get a 10:05 for the two mile. I also want us to reach regionals as a team or get to semistate, that would be great as well. We have the skill. We just need to use it on the track.

sophomore Kade Honickel