The track is set, the lights are bright, and the finish line is in sight. Months of training, perseverance, and dedication is now being put to the test as it all comes down to this one moment. In seconds, a champion will be crowned, but for each athlete, the race is more than just a competition, it is a chance to prove that hard work and strong preparation can take you anywhere you want to go.
With a new season on the horizon, Papillion-La Vista track and field is getting ready for one of its biggest upcoming seasons. As the season begins, junior Demarcus Mccarty and sophomore Gracie Suppes take a different approach to their training– trading time on the track for time on the basketball court. As multi-sport athletes, these high school students have gained an advantage through conditioning and preparation as the basketball season comes to an end.
This method of preparing for the track season does come with benefits, as it enables them to experience the opportunity of a sport beforehand.
“During basketball season, running and conditioning everyday helped me a lot with speed work and staying in shape,” Suppes said.
Shifting from a team sport like basketball to an individual sport like track can be challenging, as the focus transitions from relying on your teammates, to relying on yourself.
“When you mentally shift from a sport like basketball to a sport like track, you have to discipline and push yourself as much as possible,” Suppes said. “I still get support from my coaches and teammates which is very important as well.”
Although these student athletes have seen a great increase in their performance through basketball, they have recently begun their individual preparation on the track, which can be a tough adjustment.
“We do have lots of hard practices which makes taking care of your body very crucial,” Mccarty said. “Stretching, getting ice and heat, and resting are very important to help your muscles recover before upcoming meets.”
While training can be tough at times, a normal day of practice can often include a variety of different exercises and activities. As a sprinter, Mccarty follows a specific routine to make sure he stays healthy.
“Before practice we always stretch to make sure our muscles are warmed up to prevent injury,” Mccarty said. “Then we go out on the track and start sprint workouts, which helps us get ready for upcoming competitions.”
In addition to the physical aspect of preparation, these athletes mentally set goals to push themselves for what they want to accomplish during the season. After a strong last season, Suppes is looking to continue to develop her skill set for future races.
“My goals for this track season are to break a school record and PR in my events, while also keeping my body healthy,” Suppes said. “I am going to work harder at practice to make sure I perform the best I can.”
As the season begins, athletes like Suppes and Mccarty are gearing up for what they hope to be a successful season. By being multi-sport athletes, they have gained great preparation for the track season that is ahead of them. With hard work and dedication in practice, these student athletes are ready to take the track and set in motion for what Monarch fans and players hope to be a season for the history books.