Track and field kicked off their season on March 22. Varsity track and field is attended the Varsity Invitational versus Olathe East High School. Coming into their 2024 season with a State championship from their latest season has set high expectations for another successful season. 

Last season, the varsity girls team finished strong at State, and were able to come home as State champions. This year they have many goals for the team as a whole. Junior Lily Brewer is on the distance track and field team and shares a goal of hers for her second season. 

“Goals are to PR in all my events and to run at State,” Brewer said. 

All their work throughout the season leads to them having the opportunity to compete at State, which is a big accomplishment for many athletes. As much as the meets count towards their season, the preparation has as much of an impact as the competition does.

“I have improved by staying consistent and performing better in workouts,” Brewer said. 

Track and field practices every day after school can be time consuming for many student athletes, but being around fellow teammates can also be enjoyable. Brewer shared how she is looking forward to going to State again with her team and being able to hangout with everyone in her times where she isn’t running. 

Not only are the athletes looking forward to the season, but the coaches as well. Head coach Dee Bell mentions how he absolutely thinks his girls team could go back-to-back State champions. 

“We want to go back-to-back and get top three for the boys,” Bell said. 

With a new freshman class and some other students that have joined the team, they have other great athletes to look up to. 

“The upperclassmen teach them the ways and get them taught up in how we do things,” Bell said.

At the end of the season, coaches really get to see how much their athletes have improved from the beginning and have the opportunity to bring athletes back to the state championship as they compete for hardwear.

“Just seeing kids improve and hopefully that improvement leads to some gold,” Bell said.