Track season has officially begun, and athletes are back on the track preparing for the upcoming meets. After months of colder weather and winter sports, students are once again staying after school to train, practice, and improve their times.

The first week of practice has focused mainly on conditioning. Athletes start each day with stretches and warm-up laps before moving into drills and workouts. While the practices are not extremely intense yet, they are designed to help runners rebuild endurance and get back into shape. Senior Sean L says the conditioning is helpful because “We are doing volume heavy workouts and it's helping open our lungs. We are also working hard on form.”

Many students say the first few days can be challenging. Muscles are sore, and running feels harder than expected after time off. However, athletes also say it feels good to be back with teammates and working toward shared goals. “Its a phenomenal opportunity to get one more year at track,” said Ayla G.

Upperclassmen have been helping freshmen learn routines and understand expectations. Coaches say teamwork and positive attitudes are just as important as speed, especially early in the season. Freshman Emma R looks up to the upperclassmen for guidance during her first season. “I appreciate them because they show me what to do when I get confused during drills.”

With the first meet only a few weeks away, practices will gradually become more intense. For now, the focus remains on improving each day and preparing for competition.Track season may just be starting, but athletes are already putting in the work needed to make it successful.