It’s that time of year when track sections begin, with runners, jumpers and throwers highlighting their skills in what could be their final competition of the year. Track sections were held at Cooper High School May 25, and Park athletes competed in a wide range of events from the long jump to the 400-meter dash. With the stakes being higher than they have been all year, everyone is competing for a chance to go to State.
Sophomore Everett Arnold said consistent practice routines have helped him make it to sections.
“Locking in and doing what my coaches have been telling me to do and sticking to the practice format has really helped me (get faster),” Arnold said.
Assistant coach Arsenio Richardson said the practices leading up to sections have been very productive because of the athletes’ commitment to success.
“All the kids competing have been locked in at practice this week. The kids have been competing at practice pushing each other to get better,” Richardson said.
Senior Theo Holmberg said coach Jill Merkle helped him work on the technical details of running hurdles and being more efficient with getting over the hurdles as quickly as possible.
“I have been running hurdles every single day in practice and working on the technical stuff with my coaches. (I want to) shout out Mrs. Merkle for really helping me out in practice,” Holmberg said.
Richardson said track has a distinct nature to it, preaching to athletes to go out there and do their best.
“Track is unique because you normally race either against the clock, a time or a measurement, so I tell them to go out there and run the best race you can run or jump your best height,” Richardson said.
Holmberg said the support he gets from his teammates both during practice and while he is competing. He said this support makes him better and helps him to achieve his best time.
“My teammates are good at being very supportive, and they help me in practice by encouraging me to push myself,” Holmberg said.
Arnold said in practice, his teammates have friendly competitions with one another to push themselves.
“I have friendly competitions with some racers that I have similar times to. It’s always fun to compete against them to get better,” Arnold said.
Not all of Park’s athletes competed on the first day of sections. Richardson said he tells his athletes to soak in the moment and mentally prepare themselves so they will be ready when it’s their turn.
“(It’s important) for the kids not competing today, coming out here and getting those mental reps is very important, just to get in that mindset because it will be at the same location,” Richardson said.
Arnold said even if he missed out on his personal record PR in one event, since he does multiple, he still has something to motivate him.
“I ran the 100, and I think that I did well, but just missed my PR by .07 seconds, but I am looking forward to my other events later in the competition,” Arnold said.
Holmberg participates in more than one event. He said he, too, was looking forward to an event he feels more confident in.
“I ran the 110 hurdles. I think I did alright. It was not my best time in that event all year but it was a good end to the year. I am looking forward to the 300 hurdles to show off my endurance,” Holmberg said.
The second day of the track sections will be at 4:30 p.m. May 29 at Cooper High School. All the Park athletes who advance to State will compete June 6 at St. Michael-Albertville High School.
