hard news story

Bobby Vossen

Run Wild

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday the girls track team is getting prepared for the upcoming season through vigorous captains practices that are held within the school. Although the season is a solid two weeks away the girls are working diligently to get a head start on the season. I sat down with senior captain Taryn Dwyer, when asked what captains practices consist of she replied “we start with a warm up run then we do pilos, and then we split up into sprinters, distance runners and throwers.”

Getting a head start on the season will put the girls ahead of the game but since there is still snow on the track the girls have to stay inside to do all of their works out. When asked how the team utilizes the building when there is still snow on the ground Dwyer replied “we use the indoor track but we have to share it with the baseball team. We also use the weight room, and the hallways on the second floor and in the commons are also used for running activities.” Although the girls do not like running up and down the hall ways they know that by working out as a team a few weeks prior to the beginning of the season, will have a positive effect on the team by making them closer. I also sat down with senior captain Laura Gengler when asked if captains practices are a good way to get the tem conditioned before the season begins she replied, “Yes because we do a large amount of running, and we push the girls very hard during each drill.”

When asked if having three captains practices a week will help the girls get ready for the physical grind of the season Gengler replied, “Yes because there is a large amount of girls who show up at the practice that put everything into each and every practice.” Although there is a large number of girls that attend the practices the captains feel that attendance could still be much higher. Attendance to the practices is also not the best due to winter sports. When asked if winter sports interfere with captains practices Dwyer replied “Yes because there are a lot of starters that are not able to attend due to winter sports.” Even though the attendance to captains practice is not what they would like it to be the girls are still very optimistic about the season, they feel that once again they will have a strong year.

For the first time in Eastview Girls track history there will be six senior captains on the team. When asked why the team has six captains Gengler replied, “Because each different captain is in a different event, so with 100 plus girls it is easier to work with them when there is one captain per event.” The six senior captains make up most of the total seniors on the team. Being the only senior hurdler on the team I asked Laura Gengler what it takes to teach the younger hurdlers she replied, “A lot of patience and enthusiasm to push the girls to be the best they can be. They are doing very good and there are a few that will probably race in a few varsity events.” The captians agreed that the biggest obstacle the team will face this season is the lack of senior leadership. Dwyer started “The underclassmen will have to step up big for us to contend this year.”

The team is looking very strong, every member of the team is anxious for the season to start. Come out and support the girls as the hope to make another run at state.