As the winter season comes to an end and spring comes over the horizon, the Freedom track and field team begins their hours of preparation for the upcoming season. Track and field is a sport that requires each athlete’s body to be in tip-top shape prior to the first meet of the season. Due to the difficulty of maintaining such a physique, practices for the team start much earlier than the official beginning of the season. Optional conditioning practices began the last two weeks of February before official training for the season kicked off in early March. This is when the entire team began their hours of preparation for their first meet on March 13.

Track and field is composed of many events. Some events include running the mile, jumping hurdles and even throwing discus to name just a few. Many athletes specialize in just one event but some decide to try and compete in multiple events. Due to this plethora of events and specialties, a track team requires many coaches. Mr. Dave Badamo is the head coach of the track and field team, but he is also assisted by Ms. Miranda Santa as the long-distance running coach, Antonio Powell as the sprinting coach, Ms. Debrah Evans as the jumping coach, Ms. Kelly Emes as the pole vault coach, Mr. Greg Pullen, the throwing coach, and Lindsay Perko, the hurdles coach. Both coach Emes and Perko are first-time Freedom coaches this year. There are also elected student captains who help lead warmups and workouts during the season. At the time of writing, these captains have yet to be elected.

All in all the team is excited to get the season started. Many have aspirations for a potential trip to states or even beyond.

“[My goal for this upcoming season is] hopefully making it to states,” senior James Couch said.

Track and Field is an individual sport meaning that members of the team, besides in the relay-style races, are competing just for themselves. Their personal times determine how well they place rather than the team’s overall performance.

“A first, second or third place is never guaranteed, but you can always aim to perform better than your last race,” Santa said.

As a whole, the goal is to improve individually while also helping teammates to improve as well. Despite being an individual-based sport, track and field definitely requires teamwork on all levels. Being there to push one another at practice or cheering on each other at meet is a must.

“[My favorite part about track and field is] probably the team aspect,” sophomore Noah Chaousy said. “You’re part of a team but you need to rely on yourself and realize that your score and your results are based on the work you individually put in.”

All members of the team are ready to begin the season and continue to strive for excellence.