by Danni Mergel, reporter

Spring is finally here! That means track season! Student-athletes have been preparing for the upcoming track season all winter long. They have put all their effort in to become who they are as an athlete. Track is not a sport that people are just naturally good at doing. It is something that has to be earned and worked for in the off season. Mr. Frank Miller, head track and field coach, has given his opinion on this season.

“So far there has been a really positive vibe surrounding both the boys’ and girls’ squads this season. Many of the student-athletes have worked hard in the off season and that is showing in the early season workouts,” says Mr. Frank Miller.

Students worked Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and sometimes Fridays, to help get them ready for this season. In the past years, Jim Thorpe has had many wins and accomplishes.

“Past seasons really don’t shape the expectations for this season. Student athletes graduate and new ones enter the program each year. The programs expectations simply are “control the controllables.” If everyone brings energy and work ethic each day, we should all improve each day and whatever happens at the end of the season happens,” Miller stated.

Only the best of the best get to go to invites. Coaches work these athletes so they can work their way up to them. Some teams are really good but some teams do not put much effort into track and field.

According to Miller, “I think both teams can be really varied in where points are scored throughout the season. Each grouping has the potential to be contributors to the team concept. If we get balanced scoring from all events, we can be really tough to beat as a team.”

Many student-athletes push themselves as much or more than their coaches. They eat healthy and exercise when they do not have practice.

“The coaches push our student-athletes like we do so that the student-athletes can realize their potential. Nothing is more satisfying as a coach to see the kids that you coach perform their best in competitions. The philosophy of the coaching staff is to make the practices as challenging as possible so that meet days are relaxed, focused, and relatively “easy” compared to every other day,” Mr. Miller continued.

Student athletes challenge themselves more and more each day. Athletes do this so they can do better at each meet as the year continues. These athletes are the ones who will make it to districts, championships, etc.

“The team, hopefully, should be at its best at the end of the season. Workouts are geared to obtaining our season’s best performances at the League, District, and State Championship meets should you qualify for them,” Mr. Miller adds.

Jim Thorpe has won many meets and made it to districts, states, and so on. Thanks to all the coaches, Jim Thorpe will be hard to beat this season.