As the winter sports season comes to a close, athletes are preparing for the rigorous seasons of spring athletics. As sports move from indoor to outdoor participants, spring sports are getting ready to layer up and spring themselves into training.

As both outdoor track and soccer fast approach, there are things for both groups of athletes to look forward to this coming season.

“I’m looking forward to the team environment for sure, the group of girls we have each bring their own special characteristics that make the team even more enjoyable to be a part of,” junior girls soccer player McKenna Cannon said. “I’m also looking forward to where the season will take us. I have high hopes for the end result with such a strong group.”

Students have been preparing for the coming season in hopes that they can be the best athletes they can be. Looking for how to maximize their performance, some students have even analyzed how to become better runners, such is the case with junior distance runner Liam Taylor.

“I’ve read books, done research, and even looked at medical studies,” Taylor said. “I treat running like school, except I actually do the homework.”

Aside from studying on how to become better athletes, students are also looking for ways to improve before meets and games start within their teams. From running better times, to working on better offense and defense, teams are looking forward to competing at state.

“Our team has a very good chance at winning state this year. We have high hopes for winning which creates a lot of pressure on the team,” freshman soccer player Ava Gilliat said. “I think we will only win if we put hard work into it everyday.”

Last season both the track and soccer teams competed at state. The track team came home with both boys and girls state championship trophies. While the girls and boys soccer team fought a valiant battle, but fell short.

Following the state competitions of last year some athletes feel the pressure setting in, while others are simply looking forward to playing and are confident in their abilities.

“I think that we will have a lot of pressure on the girls because it was recently their third time winning,” sophomore distance runner Colin Walker said. “They got regionals four times and the boys got state last year too.” 

Teams will continue to strive to improve throughout the season, but just from the first practices of the season, skills are already starting to show. 

“I think our defensive line will be pretty good,” sophomore soccer player Ivy Agee said. “And our conditioning will help a lot too.”

As the spring sports move into gear and start to roll, athletes in both track and soccer are ready to compete.

“I think our biggest strengths as a team will be building up each other through high and low times,” Cannon said. “ I’m hoping for us to be more confident in each other’s abilities.”