On Jan. 22, track reason kicked off, featuring hard-working and persistent Radford athletes working tirelessly towards each track meet leading up to state-finals on May 11, motivated by intense competition and supportive friends and family. The first month of track focuses on exploring different events, building skills and techniques, and getting familiar with teammates and coaches. Athletes are encouraged to experiment with other events; every week they rotate with different coaches to experience each event and determine which they feel best suits their skill level. This is most beneficial to new athletes who are unsure of which events to choose or what kind of events are available.
Newcomers are typically discouraged by their initial performances, falling into the misconception that athletic ability comes naturally. This is false. Performances and results largely depend on consistent practice, even outside of the track season or regularly scheduled track practices. Because growth and development depend on consistent practice, athletes aren’t cut from the team based on skill level, but other factors like poor grades and severe injuries are taken into account instead.
“Practice is the key to success in every sport. The sweat, the time, the practice, it pays off,” stated senior varsity thrower Katelyn Aguinaldo.
Contrary to common belief, track and field has a wide and distinctive array of events such as hurdles, shot put, sprints, long-distance, middle-distance, high, long, and triple jump, pole vault, relays, and discus. Many students mistakenly assume that track is only a running sport, and this has prevented many students from joining. Radford’s PE teacher, Elizabeth Patton, has been coaching the school’s track and field team for over 20 years. Her background experience as a high school track and cross country runner made her the most suitable candidate for the position.
“There’s no better time than now because high school doesn’t last forever,” said Patton.
DuBose, a first-year varsity thrower, was initially discouraged by the assumption that track solely consisted of running events. He was later educated on the varieties of track events that are not exclusive to running. A fictitious headmistress from the movie Matilda named Miss Agatha Trunchbull, who used to be a thrower herself, served as additional inspiration for DuBose to start throwing.
“Everybody has at least some potential. Don’t ever give up. Many people don’t have a good first track meet and immediately give up, but it’s a marker for where you’re at. Never give up baby, you only up from where you first landed!” said junior Christopher DuBose.