As spring sports begin try-outs and start to put their teams together, girls outdoor track and field is preparing differently. As a no-cut team, outdoor track competes with any athletes that decide to join the team. With an informational meeting on March 11th, the coaches are starting to hand-out schedules and get their first look at the 2019 team. Head coach and English teacher, Mrs. McCullough, has announced that the team’s first practice will take place on March 18th. Though South Windsor isn’t currently resembling spring, the team will start practice regardless of the weather.

While many people assume that they understand what track entails, they are often confused when they hear it involves more than just running. Outdoor track and field is a unique sport because it allows athletes to compete in a variety of events from throwing to jumping. The sport is broken down into numerous sections, all led by their own specific coach. The different sections include long-distance running, mid-distance running, sprinting, hurdling, jumping, and throwing. Within each of the sections, there are specific events that the athletes can sign up to train and compete in. Some athletes compete across sections, while others choose to focus on a specific grouping of events. Unlike other teams, South Windsor allows for near complete choice in what events each person competes in. While there are instances when someone is needed for the 4 by 4 relay, athletes generally find their favorite events and stick with them. Junior, Nikitha Zachariah, expressed that her “favorite part of outdoor would definitely be the long runs on the Nevers trail because I get to have fun with my teammates while pacing myself well.”

As one of the larger sports teams at the high school, outdoor track has a large group of girls that compete. This year, they will have to find a way to fill the places of many speedy and point-scoring seniors that graduated last year. For long-distance, the group lost Izzy Erikson. Erikson was known as a dedicated runner who dominated in the 3200-meter race. Another member, Kavitha Francis, was the anchor of the girls 4 by 100-meter relay race team. Not only did the team lose those two girls, but they lost coach Peter Anthony’s daughter, Shannon Anthony. Anthony and Francis were both point-scoring jumpers for the team. This year, the team must find athletes to help the team score points and win their meets. One incoming member, Cora Brownbill, expressed that “there are DEFINITELY a good amount of freshmen that will score points” because “we have some people that refuse to lose.” Her expectation for the season is that it will be fun, but a lot of hard work.