As the air gets colder and the snow begins to fall, most high school sports head inside for the season to train–but not winter track. Track is a three season sport, existing in the forms of cross country (fall), winter track, and spring track–for most committed to the sport, this entails year round training.
“I’ve been running cross country since August,” said Colby Crenshaw, a junior at Leesville. “We were running around seven or eight miles a day, so that kept me in pretty good shape for indoor track.”
Even for those for winter track athletes not involved in cross country, preparations began early. “We started preseason workouts a little while ago,” said Geoffrey Travagline, the head coach of Leesville’s track team. “Coach Whitten was in the weight room working with our sprinters, getting them more flexible and prepared. Pole vaulters have been working out all year round. We really just focused on honing the athleticism of all our athletes–that goes for sprints, throws, and jumps alike.”
Boasting many dedicated and talented members on the team this season, the athletes are feeling quite ambitious for themselves. “I, personally, am trying to qualify for states in two different events–the mile and the two mile–and I’m honestly so close,” said Crenshaw.
On top of this, a fantastic team composition and outlook could potentially set up Leesville’s winter track team for a state title. “I think the team is the strongest it’s ever been,” said Crenshaw. “We’ve had some really good freshman step up, we’ve seen the sophomores seriously improve, a lot of the juniors are killing it, and the seniors are just doing their thing like they always do. I’m confident we’ll have a really strong season.”
Despite the bitter cold of winter’s winds, the coaches and athletes of Leesville’s track team continue to train in earnest; the hope of a prosperous season warming their frozen bodies. Their first major meet will be this Saturday at the JDL fast track in Winston Salem.
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