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each of the Sioux Falls teams compete for each event. The State meet is essentially the same thing, except it involves all of the South Dakota schools and is spread across multiple days. “My personal goals are to beat my personal best in long jump, 17 feet 2.5 inches, and then also get the top LHS time for the 4 x 100m relay,” said Merkley. “My goals for the team are to win State For the and Metro.” hundreds of In order to achieve the ambitious goals, the LHS athletes LHS track athletes have set for themselves, involved in track training outside of the spring season is a necessity. and field, spring is Winter speed workouts, which started in synonymous with the track season, which officially December 2019, were a great way for athletes to either stay in shape or get in shape. However, the started on March 9. In 2019, most motivated track athletes took matters into both the LHS boys and girls their own hands, working out on their own to track teams were State champions, enhance their athletic abilities. Schroeder was one an impressive achievement in itself, of the athletes who placed an increased emphasis made better by the fact that it was the fourth year in a row the boys team won on off-season training this season. “I’ve been practicing endurance training pretty the State meet. As a result, there are certainly high expectations for the 2020 often,” said Schroeder. “I’ve also been in the weight room a lot more this year.” boys and girls track seasons. For many track participants, the season could With a total of 16 meets planned for the varsity and junior varsity LHS track not come soon enough. Head LHS track coach James “Jaws” Jarovski, in particular, is looking teams in 2020, the athletes will have many opportunities to compete, qualify forward to the season’s commencement. “I’m excited just to get started,” said Jaws. “It’s for State and hopefully, win. Since the meets are spread out over approximately really just a fun group of kids to be around.” Coming off of the two State titles won in the two months, there is plenty of time for athletes to improve upon their times or 2019 season, the LHS track team is certainly poised for success in the 2020 season, and Jaws is distances, depending on which events optimistic for the team’s performance this year. they compete in. “I think we have kids on both the boys and the LHS junior Isabelle Schroeder, a middistance runner, hopes to cut time off of girls teams that are going to be really good,” said Jaws. “And those kids will be competing for State her main event, the 400m dash. titles.” “I would like to get my 400m time Regardless of the victories and losses, the LHS either at 60 seconds or under 60 track athletes are sure to have a very exciting seconds,” said Schroeder. season just by getting to train and compete LHS sophomore Lauren Merkley, a sprinter and long jumper, is also looking together. “My favorite part about track is my teammates to push herself this season, as well as and coaches because they make it so enjoyable,” encourage her teammates to victory in the two most important competitions of said Merkley. “Everyone is so close- it feels like the season: State and Metro. During the one big family.” Metro meet, the top varsity athletes from
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