As spring arrives, a new season begins on West High campus, the start of track and field. While there are no crowds in the stands yet and no medals to receive, athletes are already putting in the work that will shape the rest of their season. Right now, their focus is not on competitions, but on preparation. Some athletes are returning from last season with experience and confidence, while others are stepping onto the track for the first time.

Track and field is not an easy sport, and you need to have plenty of commitment to hard practices and brutal pain if you really want to join. But while it may be a difficult sport to navigate, it is also a sport that brings people together.

After an interview with junior Stephanie Fung who has been doing track for 3 years, I learned more about her and her relationship with this sport. I asked, “How have the first few weeks of training been for you so far?”, and she said that she has been spending a lot of time going on long runs and doing speed training with their basic core workouts. A typical practice for her usually starts off with stretching as a team, then a brief meeting with their Coach before a workout. They then get put into specific groups and go on their long runs. I asked her how she prepares before her meets, and she said,” I spend my time before my meet visualizing by listening to music and finding my flow state.” Her overall goal this season is to hit times that she never thought she could hit when she was a freshman.

I also interviewed senior Mariana Medina Perez who has been doing track for 3 years at West. She said, “First few weeks of training were exciting and exhausting!” She has been doing this for a long time now, so her body and mind are used to the routine, but she’s excited to rebuild and get much faster. I asked her what the toughest part of getting back into shape was, and she said that the toughest part is “…getting your mental health back in it and growing that confidence in yourself of knowing you can do it.”

Together, these student athletes are training to be better individually and as a team. The goal is better timing and medals, but that’s all up to what this track and field season will bring.