Athletes have begun to train and begin their preseason preparations in order to run the fastest, throw the furthest and jump the highest.

  For junior Ashlee Kuykendall, making state would be a huge accomplishment for her. Kuykendall runs the two mile and one mile relays.

  “I would love to make it to state, but it would be a great accomplishment just to make it to sectionals this year,” Kuykendall said.

  Though athletes are focused on getting to state, sectionals, or place first in districts, improvements during the preseason are to be made in order to succeed.

  “I am looking forward to improve my times. I am planning on running under a six-minute mile,” Kuykendall said.

  Kuykendall competed at University of Central Missouri March 22, she took second place in the two-mile run.

Along with Kuykendall, sophomore Dallas Larsen plans on doing very well in the 2016 track season.

  Larsen, during his first track meet of the year, placed second in his 3200 meter run and plans on going to sectionals this year.

  “I would like to make it to sectionals and state this year, but I mostly look forward to improving my times in the 800m, 1600m, and the 3200m,” Larsen said.

  Larsen was a high contender last year being one of the only freshman to make it onto varsity.

  “I plan on breaking my personal records; school records are more of a side quest. Practices are good so far. There is always room for improvement, but the practices and work effort is much better than last year,” Larsen said.

  But for others instead of running, throwing is one of their main focuses like sophomore Nate Fauquier. Fauquier has been in track since the seventh grade and has continued to practice and grow his ability through his sophomore year. He too plans on doing better than any previous years.

  “I hope to do better than all of my previous years. I want to throw farther than I have before,” Fauquier said.

  Preparations have ended and the runners had taken on this season head first hoping to come home with great titles for WHS.