Track season has begun, and MV’s men’s track athletes and coaches are training to compete to their fullest ability for the 2025 season.
“I think right now from a coaching standpoint, we are just trying to get their legs ready to compete through the indoor season and keep them healthy going into the outdoor season,” stated Coach Robert Grider.
“I sleep well (I try to get 8 hours every night), eat healthier, and plan my meals according to workouts and meets,” stated Rowan Wilford, ‘26.
Within track and field, there are always athletes that are a good fit for certain events. These athletes must train their bodies to be able to do these events well.
“I am not 100% sure what I will be running this year but I do know I will be participating in the hurdles and the 4×100 relay. Head Coach Clint Turner has talked to me about running in the 4×200 relay, 200-meter dash, and the 4×400 relay.” “I have been training for those events by strengthening my hips to increase my leg speed for sprinting hurdles. I have also worked on my endurance which helps in the 4×400 meter relay,” stated Keaton Koch, ‘27.
Wilford added, “I am mainly a mid-distance runner, so I compete in the 800 meter and the 1600 meter. I put in as many miles as my body can handle and my coach is practicing hard on the track twice a week.”
Track is a sport that takes lots of commitment and dedication to better one’s self and the team but there are always issues to tackle.
Coach Turner stated, “Our biggest obstacle is always having a team that is committed to being good.”
“We are a young team and not as experienced. We only have about four seniors and leadership is needed. We will overcome this by learning from our coaches and the players putting in the effort to get better,” stated Malakai Mays, ‘25.
Within every sport, there is always competition, some more competitive than others.
“The conference is so close this year, and it’s pretty even. Right now on paper, Carbondale and Cahokia are looking like our biggest competition,” said Coach Grider.
Every team needs to have goals put in place to strive towards.
Coach Turner stated, “ We always put a lot of emphasis on the South Seven Conference meet, but we would also like to do really well at the section and state meet.”
Along with team goals, each athlete should have personal goals set for themselves to reach for in their particular events.
Koch stated, “My personal goal this year is that I want to break the 15-second mark on my hurdle time. I also would like to get my block started better up to speed. The final thing that I would like to improve is my 200-meter dash time. I enjoy the longer distance sprinting because it makes me able to reach my top speed and consistently manage it. It is challenging but it makes me become a better runner.”
“Having a faster time in the 100-meter dash and being stronger overall are some of my goals for the year,” stated Mays.
Wilford said, “ My goals for the season are to make it to state in one of my events.”
Trying to be better than the previous year is always a good goal to have when participating in a sport.
Wilford stated “ Moving to this year we lost only a few seniors. These seniors were very talented but we are hoping to have filled their shoes this year and just as much talent in the preceding classes.”
“This year we have had a lot of athletes that have been going to track workouts that are not currently playing basketball. This is great because we get an earlier start on things compared to last year where most of our athletes were competing in basketball or other sports,” added Koch.
The first track meet on March 1st at Marion High School’s HEC Center was won by the Rams beating the Marion Wildcats by three points.
“Our team works very hard, and I’m excited to see where we are at, especially my cross-country teammates who are constantly working hard. Reaping their award would mean great things,” added Wilford.
