The girls’ track and field team went into regionals with confidence and excitement for the opportunity to compete on their home track for such a big event.
As the athletes were getting ready for their postseason, they were excited to start it on their home track. Sydney Bertolino, senior, explained that running on the track you know best is good for performance.
“It’s definitely nice to be on the track that you know the best,” Bertolino said.
As the pressure of the postseason approached, the girls were not just focused on physical preparation, but also mental preparation before races and field events. Lindsey Martin, junior, who also runs sprints, describes how music and her energy drink were a part of the routine to lock in for her race, mentally.
“I listen to my favorite songs and kind of get in my zone… and I always drink a Celsius before,” Martin said.
The team prepared for regionals throughout the season at higher-level invitationals, such as Arrowhead’s Myrhum Invite or the indoor state meet. Being able to compete in these invitationals has helped prepare the team to compete at a higher level and become more competitive against other teams, especially in the postseason.
John Krueger, feels the higher level competition throughout the season best prepares runners for regionals and sectionals.
“By competing in higher-level competitions, the girls have seen the top levels in the state in all of their events,” Coach Krueger said.
The coaches and team are excited to advance to sectionals, especially the seniors competing for some of the last times on their home track, and aiming to achieve career bests.
“We are really excited to see all of our girls try to advance to sectionals, especially seniors who are going for career bests on their home track,” Coach Krueger said.
Furthermore, Martin explained that she gets excited to compete against new teams in the postseason, since these teams consist of athletes that the girls don’t usually run against in the regular season.
“I’m really excited… A lot of the time we are running against the same teams, so I feel like that’ll be fun,” Martin said.
The team placed second at regionals and sectionals, and several athletes qualified for the WIAA Girls Track & Field State Competition, which begins on Friday, June 5.
