Track and field athletes are excited about succeeding individually this season as the season gets underway. Their first meet was at Versailles on March 18.
Junior Jackson Deckard has been in track and field for three years and he is one of many athletes who love the sport. Deckard participates in 4×800, 1600, 3200.
“I enjoy track because I like to meet new people, and better myself,” Deckard said.
Athletes in their first year of high school track had similar reasons for joining in, self-improvement and building relationships.
“I love track because I love the exercise it brings and to better myself,” freshman Izabella Schierholz said. Schierholz is participating in 100, 200, long jump, and the 1×4 relay.
“I do track because I like to hang out with my friends, and meet new people,” freshman Thomas Town said. Town is involved in discus.
“The best way I have found for myself to get athletes to work hard is to build great relationships with them. I do my best to make sure that everyone who plays or runs for me knows that I care about their success, on the playing field and off. Building those relationships of respect, understanding how each individual responds to different teaching styles, and holding everyone accountable are the basics of how to try to get athletes to work hard. There has to be an intrinsic motivation for the athlete too, meaning they have to want to work to get better, I have to help them see that they can go further than what they can see right in front of them. I have to help them believe in what they have not yet seen. It doesn’t happen with every athlete that way, that goes back to their intrinsic motivation, but it’s my job to help them as much as I possibly can,” head track and field coach Cody Morgan said.
In the years past, multiple athletes have pushed for a state title. As most have come up just short, it gives them a way of motivation to do better each new season.
“My favorite memory from track is going to state my first year, senior Nate Banfield said. Banfield has been in track and field for three years and he participates in the 400m, 800m, and javelin.
Sophomore Wesley Jackson said that his goal for this season is to go to state.
“I do track because I enjoy running, and it gives me a challenge,” Jackson said.
Some may wonder why student athletes are involved in track and field.
Senior Angela Konopasek’s favorite memory from track is winning districts her sophomore year in the 100 meter hurdles, when no one thought she could since she was ranked sixth. Konopasek has been on track for six years. She is in the 100 hurdles, 100m dash, 200m dash.
“Hurdles are for me because I have worked hard to be good,” she said.
Overall, the track athletes are looking forward to a great season this year.
“I’m excited about this season! Everyone returning is a year older and a year stronger, they all seem to have a good positive energy about getting started. We are excited about all the new people out too – freshman and others coming back out or to track for the first time. Hopefully we are building towards another successful season where we see PR’s (personal records) broken, school records broken, conference and district champions, and state qualifiers. I’m excited to see how this season shapes out for us. I wish others knew how much fun and self reward they could get out of track and field. GO CATS!!!” Morgan said.
