Source: https://www.chclc.org/west

Winter has now almost begun, and due to this, winter sports come along, too, which means that winter Track and Field is back in action! Track and Field is a fantastic way to test out your strengths and weaknesses, and it has a pretty big team, meaning that if you aspire to join the sport, you’ll most likely enter. Not only that, but you can also get to know fellow teammates since the team is very welcoming to new people.

But, for those who need to learn what Track and Field is, it is a series of athletic events where you can run, jump, or throw. For example, there are events where you can sprint, and there are events where you run long distances, which require stamina, speed, and consistency. 

The throwing events are more about who can throw an object the farthest, which is where the javelin, discus, and shot put events come into play, requiring a little bit of strength but also form, which I’ll talk about shortly. Finally, there are events like long jumps, high jumps, pole vaults, etc. 

This sport is mainly individual, meaning you don’t work with others during competitions. Instead, you compete for yourself and your school. However, the most important key factor in this sport is form. Every event has a specific way of how it works. In other words, your coach gives you instructions on how to execute efficiently, and all you need to do is practice that form while also improving things such as your strength, endurance, and speed. As a result, by practicing, your hard work shows off and helps you do well in your competitions. So you could be the strongest, biggest, or tallest person at a meet (the word for competition in Track and Field), and yet without practicing the correct form, you could do pretty poorly. So, just like every other sport, practice makes perfect.

However, you might wonder why Track and Field is during the Winter and Spring. Well, according to “The Showdown of Winter Track VS. Spring Track” by RHS High Times, “The winter season is a chance to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the spring season and make sure you are in the best shape right from the beginning of the spring season.” To elaborate, Track and Field is during the winter since many kids devoted to the sport want to get in shape before they enter Track and Field in the spring, and yes, getting into shape before the spring season is crucial. But, Track and Field’s constrained events are a downside during the winter. During the spring, Track and Field offers events like javelin, discus, long jump, etc. But, during the winter, lots of the events are removed. So, you sadly may not be able to see the event you want to do during the winter.

Now, it’s time for the Q&A. I asked sophomores Christian Taylor, Alaina Mendoza, Britani Johnson, Reese Billings, and Max Ivory about winter track and field. Here’s what they said.

Q: What events do you guys do during the winter?

Christian: I do the 400m and 50m.

Alaina: I just do the 800m.

Britani: So far, I’m just doing the 55m.

Reese: I do the 1600m and 800m.

Max: I am doing some distance events, which are the 1600m and 3200m, and I also do hurdles.

Q: What do you like about winter track and field that’s different from the spring?

Christian: The bus rides are fun with the team since there’s lots of karaoke and yelling.

Alaina: During the winter, I like that there’s a smaller group, so we (the team) have a better bond.

Britani: I guess, like, the team is more closer, and, I don’t know, we all get food after the meets, which is fun, and there’s more bonding time, you know?

Reese: I like the smaller group, and I feel like we’re closer together. I also like the runs we do.

Max: One thing I like about the winter that’s different from the spring is during the winter, there are more far-away meets, while spring meets are closer to our school.

Q: Now that we’ve your likings, what about your dislikes?

Christian: Definitely practicing in the cold and having to be in the school at 5 o’clock in the morning.

Alaina: The really cold weather.

Britani: Winter Track and Field is limited. There’s no 100m, 200m, or long jump during the season.

Reese: I hate the cold.

Max: I don’t like the cold and not consistently being in shape because you’ll be built from the ground up if you’re not in shape.

Q: Moving back to the positives, what are you guys looking forward to this season?

Christian: Probably getting better and running with my new teammates.

Alaina: PR’ing in the new season.

Britani: Getting back to where I was before.

Reese: I’m looking forward to the Ocean-Breeze and Staten Island meets, which is a meet at the shore and a meet in New York.

Max: I’m looking forward to getting at least one medal this season.

Q: Do you have any suggestions or recommendations for people who want to try this sport? It doesn’t necessarily have to be a freshman. It could be someone in high school who hasn’t tried the sport yet.

Christian: Everyone should join, and if you start coming to practice, bring something warm.

Alaina: People are more nicer in the winter due to the smaller team and try out all events and find out what you like.

Britani: Try an event that interests you and see what you would like best. Oh, yeah, and also try events you think you might not be good at because you could do well in them.

Reese: Don’t give up the first week, trust the process, and don’t let the cold deter you.

Max: I suggest being ready to work and bringing a snack because you will get hungry.

Thanks to all who responded to my questions! I don’t do this sport in the winter since the events I do (mainly javelin and discus) aren’t available, but you could join the team if you want to get ready for the spring season. I highly encourage you to do that. Now that you’ve got more info about the winter track and field season, are you interested in joining? 

For more information, you can ask a friend, ask someone more experienced with the sport, contact the coaches in the specific season, or talk to your guidance counselor.