Track Takes Off

Jefferson Academy loves Track and Field. It has over 70 participants, and with the new track, more people are joining. This is far from the brightest news, however. The season is starting up soon, and many participants are anticipating a fantastic year. 

“As a team I really want to win a team state championship. I really think this year we are going to be great as a team,” exclaimed Zach Owings, a senior sprinter in track and field. 

Track members are getting more ready for the season through our school’s moderately intense program, their immense dedication, and their coaches’ commitment to the team. Because of this, many of them have goals moving forward, such as Nathan Harding, a Junior hurdler and jumper in Track and Field. 

“I’d love to make it to state, but really, my only goal is just to get better and try some new events, like pole vaulting and maybe long jump,” explained Harding. “I don’t think I’ll be good at [pole vaulting], but it’s a really cool event.” 

With people’s hopes and goals comes dedication. Track members and coaches alike are putting significant effort into this track season, and it makes a visible difference. Mr. Thimsen, the lead Track and Field coach as well as a history teacher, explained many of his thoughts on this track season. 

“Every year, I want to make sure that each athlete can be the best version of themselves. Then, beyond that, I want them to gradually, increasingly get better each week, and if every kid is doing that, trying hard, and I’m helping them to do that, then that’s a goal met,” Mr. Thimsen passionately stated. 

In track and field, there are many things that you can do. Hurdlers, throwers, sprinters, jumpers, and distance runners all choose their events because they enjoy them. Each event takes different skills, but all the same mindset. Greta Jones, a sophomore distance runner, explained her love of the distance team and how it makes distance track meaningful. 

“We’re just one big distance family. We all have known each other for so long, and we all see each other every day, and we all have inside jokes, we all warm up together, and we go to team dinners. We’re all bonded together in pain,” Jones recalled.