The new spring season of track and field at New Haven High School began Monday, February 27th.
All students participating in track and field from the middle school and high school have the chance to participate in a new event at NHHS called pole vault. Pole vault is an event in which competitors attempt to vault over a high bar using the end of a long, flexible pole.
But that's not all track athletes can do. They can run the mile, the two-mile, or participate in the high jump, and even more. Track athletes don't just run, they also throw-- for instance, athletes can participate in javelin events or the discus throw. Also, all athletes get to participate in four events at a meet.
Lauren Gerlemann commented, “I plan on competing in the long jump for sure, and the rest of my events I have yet to decide. I'm looking forward to a successful year and improving my times and jumps from last year. I think track and field is competing hard in your personal event(s), and earning your team points so you can celebrate your team victory.”
Mr. Witthaus also stated, “I would love to see if they can repeat and improve what they were able to accomplish last year. [I would] also like to see some improvements as the year goes on. I would like to see times improve week by week. But they will be put through some pretty strenuous workouts. They will need to pay attention to details.”
Mr. Witthaus continued: “I think track and field is all about teaching our athletes responsibility on and off the track. Hopefully they see that hard work pays off in the present and in the future.”
Lastly, Ryan Blankenship commented, “My passion is to run and push my team members to strive to do better. A couple of my events are pole vault, javelin, and the 4x800 relay. I would love to see all of my teammates go to state this year and place.”
Blankenship continued by saying, “I think track and field is about finding out some of your strengths and weaknesses [and learning] how to push yourself not just in track but in everyday life. [It is] also about building friendship and team-bonding.”