Districts for track is May 12, and 40 of the top varsity runners have to prepare for the biggest, most competitive meet of the season. Practice for districts is highly intensified and will prime the athletes to run fast. The more people hype it up, however, the more it can psych the athletes out.
“It’s all about remaining calm and remembering you need to go out and just go get it,” sophomore long distance runner Jack Stevens said.
Stevens said head coach Neal Blackburn and his coaching crew just want their team to go and run their heart out.
“[Blackburn said] it doesn’t matter what place they get,” Stevens said. “All that matters is that they tried their absolute best.”
Senior Andrew King has been a loyal track member since his freshman year. King believes keeping a calm mindset for meets is key.
“We try to think of it as just any other meet even though it could be your last race for the year or even your high school career,” King said. “The main thing is to not over think it or that could mess up all the athletes on the team.”
Blackburn has a strategic way of coaching. He knows what’s best for all his athletes, whether they run junior varsity or varsity. He plans workouts based off of what he thinks his athletes are capable of, and the workouts for districts get even more specific as the season comes to an end.
“The coaches start to become more and more serious at this time of the season.” varsity runner Mojuba Shonekan said. “This is due to the fact that at this time the athletes are at their best, and they want to make sure of that.”
Districts are the start of the elimination round, which makes the meets even more stressful than they already are.
If one of the athletes finishes in the top four of his event, whether it be running, throwing or jumping, he moves onto sectionals.
However, if he doesn’t finish in the top four, then his season is over.
“I love districts because you’re running for more than yourself,” Shonekan said. “You’re running for your team and a potential district championship.”