The Gabrielino Track and Field team has officially started their season, with their first meet being at home on Thursday, February 26th. Each track and field event has been hosting practices, training sessions, and doing fun traditions to help them prepare for the upcoming competition season.
In Track and Field, each event is different. The track events are distance, hurdles, and sprints. The Field events are throws, jumps, and pole vault. Most competitors double up on events.
The management team has been doing logistics for the team, organizing singlet distribution and cleaning up track equipment. Sophomore and team manager, Trisha Lai, has been working on merch.
“Singlet distribution is on February 13th and we’re gonna pass out all of the jerseys. All of the merch is also coming in on that day.” Lai explains. The management team is in charge of setting up track gear, ramping up team spirit.
The managers have also helped the newcomers on the team settle in. By practicing traditions, they’re helping each other get assimilated to the team culture.
“We’re here just welcoming and we always do this thing the week before the meet where we have a track dinner” Lai states.
Aside from management, event captains have been running daily practices in attempts to warm up the competitors for the new season.
Senior and Throws Captain, Victoria Chou, has been mentoring new throwers, as well as training the returners. The objective of this particular field event is to throw an item as far as you can using momentum and technique.
“We do a couple throws every practice, and lift on Tuesdays and Thursdays.” Chou explains. Throws require high levels of strength and coordination, skills that the throwers are prioritizing for the season.
Additionally, Chou has been teaching newcomers proper throwing techniques. “I teach them how to release the disc, as well as how to set up the throw.” Chou explains, “It’s hard to get enough momentum to throw it far, so we practice these techniques often.”
Distance captain Katie Ho, senior, has also been preparing the runners. Distance is very similar to the fall sport, cross country, where the objective is to run a certain amount of miles in the shortest time possible. These events are also led by the same coaches.
Ho has been leading practices every day with competitors. “Similar to cross country, we run extra mileages around neighborhoods and parks.” Ho explains. “It’s important to build endurance and stamina.”
However, there are still differences between cross country and distance practices. “We prioritize speed compared to cross country and we’ve been at the weight room because we don’t have games yet” Ho furthers.
This year will be Gabrielino Track and Field’s last season in the Mission Valley League.
“We’re looking and aiming for new PR’s to exceed last year’s league champion.” Ho says.
The Track and Field team has been working hard to build strength, speed, and stamina. While they’ve been working towards the tournament, they’re also extremely excited.
“I’m really excited to be competing. It’s my last season, so I truly look forward to making the most of it.” Ho says.
While their first competition is a home meet, competitors and managers are excited for future away tournaments.
“Last year, we didn’t have a lot of away games, but we do this year.” Lai explains, “I’m so excited for the away games this season. We’re always chatting on the bus and taking pictures, so I’m looking forward to that.”
With the excitement building, athletes are ready to put their training to the test.
