As the season progresses, February is an important month for the FHS track team, with more meets, including a championship meet. As well as more opportunities for the team to grow and build on their skills..

This season has been going well according to members of the team. At the meet on Jan. 26, senior Austin Schroeder placed 5th in boys’ triple jump, senior Jon Kaercher took 10th for the boys’ shot put, senior Michael Keith took 11th in the boys’ 60 meter hurdle, senior Ben Wright took 14th in the boys’ 60 meter hurdle and the boys’ 4×200 relay team took 13th.

“This track team season has been going very well so far. We just competed on [Feb. 10] and I may have fouled. but I knew I beat my personal record of 33.6 ft,” senior Bailey Alford said, who competes in boys’ shot put for the indoor season. This is also Aflord’s first year on the indoor team.

With this team being larger than past teams, it does consist of a larger mix of returners and newcomers. This year’s team is heavy with young talent to keep the team going for the next few years.

“Individually, the season has been pretty good considering it’s my first year. It’s been really fun and I’m excited for the rest of the track season. I think the season has also been good for the team as a whole as well,” freshman Bailey Roberts said, who competes in the 800, 1600 and 3000 meter runs.

Out of the team, five of the members qualified for the championship meet that was held on Feb. 17.

Seniors Schroeder, Keith, and Kaercher, Wright and sophomore Adam Hessler all qualified for the meet. Schroeder for triple jump, Keith for 60 meter hurdles, Kaercher for shot put, Wright for 60 meter hurdles and Hessler for the 3000 meter run.

At the championship meet, Schroeder, Keith, and Hessler competed. Schroeder placed 12th in triple jump, Hessler placed 10th in the 3000 meter run, and Keith placed 16th in the 60 meter hurdles.

With Hessler only being a sophomore and qualifying for the championship meet, this shows potential for the future season to come with the young talent this team possesses.

“Anyone who would want to try indoor track should because there really are so many events to try out. Even if you find out an event isn’t for you, you’ll still have fun with the people around you,” Roberts said, encouraging other students to try new things.

With the indoor season wrapping up, and the outdoor athletes prepare for the season, indoor participants take their experiences and practice to the outdoor season.

“I’m glad I got the opportunity to compete in those track meets. I am also glad I went because I learned some new tips on throwing just watching other student athletes and I now have wonderful memories that I never would have if I was never given the opportunity to do so,” Alford said, reflecting on his experiences of indoor track.