Track: Team Makes A Run At States

Photo Credit: JP PORTRAITS

BY JACQUELINE QUINONES

The Cooper City High School Track & Field team has a rich history full of success. This year, they look to continue that tradition with new members and a determined mindset. Through strenuous exercise and mentoring, Coach Snipes (the head coach) and Coach Grant, (the assistant coach) look to push the runners to compete at States.

Coach Snipes has had an illustrious coaching career.  He has not only won district, regional, and state championships, but he has even trained Olympians. He has also received numerous awards, including “Coach of the Year” for Track & Field for Broward County. This leaves the team unquestionably on the right track to victory, especially with the benefit of Coach Grant’s help. Many of the members think of Track & Field as a casual sport, or one that doesn’t require hard work and consistency. The coaches are, therefore, working to change their views into ones that see the sport as something that involves determination and dedication. On an almost daily basis, they make sure that the runners are participating with constant effort and continuous rigor.

“We hope to achieve survival, to not only work towards improving ourselves as athletes in order to get into States but to also learn how to be good men and women who show up on time, know how to work together, and are willing to try their best to achieve their best,” Coach Snipes said.

With the coaches’ stipulation of specific drills and stretches designed to quickly get the runners’ bodies into shape as well as living a healthy lifestyle, members are more confident and ready to compete when their number is called.

An average practice starts with a warm-up of two laps and dynamic stretching before the team is split into groups separated by long and short distance running. After, they participate in strenuous exercises, such as five consecutive 800s, or 2-lap-runs, and ten 200s, or half-lap-runs. Long-distance runners are even expected to complete two-mile runs.

Since many runners are unable to complete these exercises without stopping to rest, finishing these daunting tasks has become a mission for track team members. For them it is more than just practice, it is a chance to prove something.

Runners who participated in last semester’s Cross Country season or previous running seasons are now striving towards beating their personal best times. The newer runners are determined to impress themselves with athletic feats that once seemed impossible. All the drills that they are training with are paying off, leaving the members stronger and with more confidence. All in all, the increased willpower has led to a positive outlook for this season.

“With the exercises given by the coaches and our determination, there’s no doubt that we will achieve our goals and personal bests,” CCHS Track & Field member Emily Davila said.