Injuries take a toll on the boys’ track and field team

Kyra Demeros Sports Editor

Thisyear, the boys’ track and field team has faced many challenges, none bigger than the injuries athletes have faced.

“One of the big challenges that the team has faced, especially on the distance side, is the recovery from injuries,” senior Alex Wille said. “Many athletes have all had to battle injuries both during the off season and during the beginning of the season.”

Athletes who partake in track events are not the only ones struggling to prevent and recover from injures. Field event athletes are also facing this same issue.

“Because of the nature of jumping, our field event athletes in the jumps battle shin splints more than any other of our athletes,” Head

Coach Jason Kacprowski said. “It’s a constant balancing act each season of getting enough jumping in to improve performance and not jumping so much that shins are hurting too badly.”

In an effort to overcome these many injuries, strength training has become more frequent at practices.

“Coach is putting more emphasis on strength work, particularly hip exercises, which will go a long way to help us heal and to prevent future injuries,” Wille said.

Preventing injures will help the athletes perform their best and meet their goals this season.

“The kids are pushing toward that goal of winning conference by following the training schedule laid out for them by their event coaches,” Coach Kacprowski said. “Any deviation of this schedule could prove catastrophic to the team goal.”

With the conference meet fast approaching, the team is starting to assess the strengths of the athletes, to find the best event for everyone.

“For relays especially, we have been shuffling runners through in different combinations to get a feel for how individuals can handle the distance, and how the team as a whole works together in that way,” Wille said.

Finding each runner’s strength will help the team find success, by making sure each individual is able to reach their full potential.

“Our jumpers goals this season are to refine technique in their jump to improve their height or distance and develop greater explosiveness to improve height or distance,” Coach Kacprowski said.

Despite the many injuries early in the season, the track team is recovering, and they are ready to achieve their goals.

“We’re certainly looking for as many individual victories as possible, but the team goal is to take home first place,” Wille said.