With personal records falling and confidence rising, the boys indoor track and field team is already building momentum early this season.
Leading the team, head coach Jeffery Purdom has high hopes for the team this year. Purdom has methods to keep his athletes prepared for meets and practices.
“We try to do a lot of ancillary work, so general strength and movement patterns. The stronger you are, the better you can perform,” Purdom said.
Competing in both indoor and outdoor seasons demands versatility from athletes. Senior Torrence Freeman takes on several sprinting events throughout the year.
“Indoors I do the 55 meters, and the 4×180. Outdoors I do the 100 meter, 200 meter, 4×100 and 4×200,” Freeman said.
The bus to meets can be nerve-racking, but many players have their own way to calm themselves or to get energized before meets.
“A lot of music to help get in the right mindset,” senior Ameer Hamza said.
Many athletes have their reasons why they want to join track and field. Some do it for the fun of the sport, or some do it to get ready for other sports.
“Basically just training for cross season, just kind of trying to stay fit,” junior Dominick Barrios said.
Going between teaching and coaching is a challenge, but there are ways to do both. They have to make sure they can be strong in the classroom just as they are with their sport.
“I’m a teacher first, just like the athletes on our team are students first,” Purdom said.
There are many different coaching styles when it comes to sports. Throwing coach Ruporto Ibara agrees he has different coaching styles for track than football. He is more disciplined to older players, but has a balance between discipline and being easygoing to all players.
For anyone thinking about joining the track team, many players encourage people to join for the fun.
“It is a really good way to be involved with the school, to be active, and a good way to make new friends,” senior Thomas Coleman said.
With dedicated coaching, disciplined training, and motivated athletes, the team feels they are prepared for a successful season ahead.
Their next meet is the Bolingbrook Invite on Feb. 28.
