Track and field is one of the better known sports at OHS with over a dozen events and hundreds of students in it, track and field is truly a central part of OHS. Breaking records and setting goals have truly changed the sport for the accomplished team.
Some may not realize the exact extent of track and field’s influence at OHS. There is much more to the sport than what meets the eye.
“[In] track… there’s a lot of different events where each one is its own separate thing. Each one you’re trying to outcompete… people you’re going against and ultimately trying to improve on your own time or record. Whether that’s in the 100 or shot put,” said Carter Hancock, sophomore sprinter, jumper, and hurdler. “There’s somewhere around fifteen different events you can choose, so there’s a lot of things you can specialize in.”
With all the different events one can choose from, the track team at OHS is incredibly large. In addition to this, there are no cuts from the track team as there are in other sports – everyone is welcomed.
“I think there’s currently a little bit more than 300 kids on the track team right now… because there’s so many events and opportunities,” Hancock said.
With so many events competing simultaneously, track and field might seem confusing and chaotic. However, the track program at OHS is well organized and highly functional.
“We have practices every day of the week and our JV meets on Wednesdays,” said Olivia Bowen, sophomore distance runner. “And pretty much every Saturday we have invitationals. If you’re a top three of your event then you get to go.”
Additionally, there is a lot of progress towards improvement within the track team. Whether it be personal or team improvement, the track and field team encourages growth during the season.
“Right now I have the 800 meter school record and the 4 by 800 relay,” said Tyler Olsen, senior runner. “And hopefully by the end of the year I’ll break both of those and set the mile record… I [joined track] because it was the one sport that you can kinda be a tryhard at, and it would pay off.”
Personal achievements are not the only thing track promotes. In fact, many students in track and field joined in order to grow themselves in other sports, as it helps to heighten one’s skills.
“I initially joined [track] because I was in football and [the coaches] said this is how you get faster – this is how you get stronger in the off season,” Hancock said.
Track is a good sport to join between any off season, as it keeps an athlete trained for the next season.
“I was planning [my freshman year] to try baseball and track,” Olsen said. “You have a mile time trial for baseball… so the cross country coach kinda told me ‘hey you should join track to help with that’… so here we are.”
For those in track, the shared highlight among the athletes is the teammates and bonds formed with others through the sport
“[Track] is hard but I think when you have your teammates, it makes it more enjoyable and it’s not as hard because you’re doing it with other people,” said Arianna Mason, junior sprinter. “The people in it are really nice and really fun. They’re very positive even though the things we do might be very hard.”
The team gets along with one another incredibly well. They are always encouraging each other in every way possible to do their very best.
“[The most important part about track] is probably the environment,” said Cosette Mosely, freshman long distance runner. “[The team] loves cheering each other on and encouraging each other so much in each event. We’re all like in one group. I love my teammates. They’re so fun [and] they’re some of my closest friends.”
Track and field is highly recommended and fiercely loved by its athletes. Any student looking for self-improvement and lifelong bonds should join the track and field team at OHS.
“The team works together really well and everyone you’ll meet there is incredibly personal and nice to you. Everybody loves to connect,” Hancock said.
