With the arrival of winter sports, runners are getting ready for indoor track and field. Many athletes transition from cross country and other sports to indoor track. While there are some similarities between the two sports, adapting to track can be a change. 

“In cross country, we mainly run 5Ks and they are on a different course each time, which can be hilly,” junior Abigail Reutinger said. “For indoor track, there are more events and we just run around on a flat track, so it’s the same ‘course’ each time.” 

Events in indoor track include running events and field events. High jump, pole vault, and shot put are field events that don’t take place on the track. Runners have the opportunity to compete in short-distance events, like the 300-meter dash and the 55-meter dash, or long-distance events, like the 1000-meter race and the 3200-meter race.

“Coach normally picks my events for me, and this year I’m focused on the 1000 and the one or two mile,” sophomore Noah St. Julien said. “I do long distance because I’m good at it and it’s more mental. I feel like I have an edge over a lot of people I run against.” 

Many athletes have been a part of the running community since middle school. Having the opportunity to participate in cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track has given students a place to be with others who share their interests. 

“I’ve been doing cross county and track with kids in my classes since freshman year,” senior Josh Dwyer said. “That brings us closer together and we’ve got the team bonding. We all have a really strong bond and we’re thick as thieves.”

Even though running is more of an individual sport than other athletic events, there are still opportunities for the team to come together. Many underclassmen look to upperclassmen for guidance as they compete. More experienced athletes can give advice to those new to the sport.

“I see the upperclassmen run fast times, and I think that I can do that one day,” St. Julien said. “They motivate me to compete with the best, and even though I’m younger, I can try to keep up. I look to the seniors for inspiration, especially Josh Dwyer, because he’s funny.”

Many athletes attempt to qualify for the state meet, which will be held at Liberty University on March 2 and 3. To participate in the state competition, runners must meet a specific time or place in the top three at the regional meet Some athletes hope to return to the state meet or compete for the first time. 

“I hope I can go to the state meet,” Dwyer said. “I would like to compete in the mile or 1000. I’m dedicated and show up to practice and do the workouts, so hopefully that helps me qualify for states.”