Let’s take a trip into this year’s track team! The boys and girls have two separate teams that compete within the Downriver League. This year’s teams both boys and girls, have been on a roll. This season has had its ups and downs, but no matter what we are still a team. With a lot of personal records this season, there are many more to come. Let’s get to know more about the track!
Explaining the Races
Hurdles
There are two different types of hurdle races in the high school track. There are the 100 hurdles and the 300 hurdles. This event has two different settings for girls and boys. The boy’s height is much higher than the girl’s height. The girl’s height for the 100 hurdles is on the second click for the hurdle. The boy’s height for the 100 hurdles is set for the fourth click on the hurdle. For the 300 hurdles, the hurdle is set to the lowest setting which is the first click. The boys are set to the second click for the 300 hurdles. Every Runner has something called their lead leg and their Trail leg. Some people can switch legs in between each hurdle but others stick to one leg to be their Trail leg and one leg to be their lead leg. The runner’s lead leg is the one stretching over the straight hurdle. The runner’s Trail leg is the one That is bent and follows behind your lead leg.
The 100 hurdles is a sprint race. There are many different ways that you can run this race as an athlete. There is something called a five step which is when the runner takes five steps in between each hurdle. There is something called the four step which is when the runner takes four steps between a turtle. if you are doing the fourth step you switch between your right and left leg over each hurdle. There’s also something called the three-step which is when the runner takes three steps in between each hurdle.
The 300 hurdle will either be your worst enemy or your favorite race. This is also a sprinting race which means you are pushing yourself at full speed the whole time. The hardest part about this race is being able to calculate your steps in between each hurdle because the hurdles are at a further distance. Being able to keep your stamina throughout the whole race is very important to be able to start and finish this race strong.
Sprinting Races
Sprinting races are races where you push yourself at 100% speed throughout the whole race. Many different types of races are classified to be in the sprinting category. Most Runners choose to start these races out of blocks to give themselves a quicker take-off. The trick to these races is the better the takeoff the better the race.
Long distance races
When you are running long distances, it requires a lot of practice. Being able to keep your stamina throughout The race does not come overnight. When you are running these races you don’t want to come off too fast because you want to keep a steady pace the whole time. Many Runners like to keep a steady pace throughout the whole race and Sprint the last 100 meters.
Other events
High jump
For this event, you find the distance that works best for you away from the bar and mat. These athletes usually mark their starting point so they know exactly where to start before competing. The jumpers usually practice by jumping over a bungee cord before they actually have to jump with the hard bar there. The point of this event is to be able to clear the highest height you can.
Long Jump
This event also requires you to mark your starting point. for this event, you are trying to jump the furthest into the sand. you take off at a fast Sprint and you jump and reach your feet out in front of you trying to get the longest distance away from the track.
Shot Put
For this event, the athletes hold a heavy ball and push the ball away from their body and Try to push it as far into the gravel as they can. This event requires a lot of strength and training to be able to execute the throw correctly.
Discus
This event is kind of like a shot put but instead of throwing a heavy ball, you throw a disc. The goal for this event is to throw the disc as far in the grass as possible. Each athlete practices in a different way that works best for them to be able to get the disc as far as they can.
Pole Vault
For this event the athletes Mark their starting point. This event requires a lot of practice and strength to be able to be good at. The athlete starts with a pole in their hand and it starts running to the mat and Bar they are trying to clear. The athlete then places the pole in the divot on the ground and pulls themselves up over the bar.
From the Runner’s View
Jayse Alkahwaji
What’s your favorite event in track and why?- the 110 hurdles because that’s the event I’m best at.
Why did you join track?- to keep my conditioning good for football.
What made you choose hurdles?- I thought they looked fun and I tried them and ended up being pretty good at them.
Kennedy Hardy
What’s your favorite race? Open 800
Why is it your favorite? Because I get to run by myself
What made you join the track team? My friends did it and that made me want to join
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Niko Cumberland
What is your favorite event? Shot put.
Why is it your favorite? Because I get to throw a heavy ball.
What is your favorite track memory? Watching Ben throw the school record.
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Zoe Stoltz
What is your favorite race and why?- The 4×200 because relays are my favorite and we have a good group for it.
What’s your least favorite race and why?- the 100 because it’s boring and seems like it doesn’t end.
What’s your favorite track memory?- Everyone running the 400 warmed up with me for the “goated” 4×200.
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Noelle Lefko
What is your favorite race? 4×100 relay
Do you prefer relays or open running and why? I prefer relays because it takes a team effort.
What made you join the track team? I wanted to try a new sport and spend time with my friends.
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Overall, you can tell that track is not an easy sport. Just like every other sport, you have to work for what you achieve. Every athlete on our team works very hard to be able to do what they feel is their best. The track is hard not only physically, but it is mentally. It is important to keep a good mindset even when you are not performing your best. Although this might sound like a lot, it never hurts to give it a try. If you are debating on the running track next year, just do it!
By- Andria Konczal
I like how you explained the different races so people who don’t do track can understand it.
Thank you, Hannah! Hope you understand now!
I like the povs of the runners and throwers and the pictures are nice
Thank you, Diana. I appreciate the feedback.
I really like how you explained each events! My favorite is the same as Kennedys which is the 800!
I love this article, and how you got pictures of everyone during their favorite event or race. I think that if I didn’t already know a lot about track this article would’ve definitely helped me understand it more.
I love you how you explained each of the events very clearly. I know have a very clear understanding of each event.
I really enjoyed reading this article. It was really cool to see pictures of different people and different races that everyone runs. The explanation of each event was really helpful!
I like the way you presented each event just as interesting as the previous!
I felt that this article was really well written and I was engaged the entire time. I liked reading the interviews and I like how you had a mix of all the different events so we could get different points of view from all sorts of people!
I really liked how you explained each race to help people who don’t run track understand what each race is about. I also love how you added track pictures of your interviewers and not just a regular picture of them.
I really liked how you explained each race and event very informational! and I also liked how you included the athletes point of view.
I think the way you explained the races was very good because they can be confusing.