Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Blue text refers specifically to indoor. Please read carefully.

How do I register for track?: Go to www.whathletics.org and sign up online. Follow directions on the page for concussion information and physical forms.

What do I need for track? Running is one of the most accessible sports in terms of equipment needed. At the most basic level you need a pair of running shoes (in good condition to help minimize injuries), and athletic clothes to practice in. Weather can dictate the clothes necessary so have a range of warmth options available. For Indoor track, athletes should be prepared to run outside in a variety of weather conditions. Running tights, long-sleeve non-cotton shirts, hats, gloves/mittens, should be available each day.

Beyond that, event specific footwear like spikes and throwing shoes can offer improved performances. Talk to the coach if you have any specific questions about this.

When do we practice? Generally speaking, the team practices Monday-Friday from 2:30pm - 4:30pm (Wednesdays from 1-3pm) and Saturday mornings (typically at 9am). Some days might run a little longer, some shorter, depending on the workout.

What does a typical practice look like? What and how you practice depends largely on the event you choose to run but here is a rough idea.

2:30 - 2:45: Team warm up and core exercises

2:45 - 2:50: Announcements

2:50 - 4:00: Event specific workout (distance might go for a training run, sprints/jumps might do a track workout, and throwing might do some technical drills)

4:00 - 4:45: Lifting, cooldown/stretching, extra event drills

What events can I compete in? Outdoor track has a variety of sprinting, jumping, and throwing events. As a rule, you can try anything out that you like. The great thing about track is everyone can have measurable improvement in any event. However, as coaches, we do try to help athletes find events they can be the most successful in and sometimes for other athletes to be successful we need to limit the number of people in the technical events (jumps and throws) so that varsity athletes get the reps they need to see improvement.

Indoor track has a different selection of events based but still includes different kinds of sprint, mid-distance, and distance events including some jumps and throws. There are also relays that athletes can be a part of. See the Varsity Standards page for a listing of the different events typically found at an indoor meet.

How do I become varsity? There are posted standards for what you need to run/jump/throw to become a varsity member of the team. The other answer is to work hard everyday and look long-term. Big improvements don’t happen overnight but are practiced everyday. Keep working!

Who competes in outdoor track meets, how long are they, and how is transportation done? Everyone competes in the dual meets. These meets are against one, or sometimes two schools (ex. Hall vs Conard). For invitationals, conference, and states athletes must qualify by running/jumping/throwing a certain standard.

Dual meets are after school and typically run about 2 hours (not including travel time if it is an away meet). Athletes are expected to use West Hartford transportation to and from the meet. It is important to be with the team and celebrate everyone's accomplishments.

Invitationals are usually on weekends and run longer because of the multitude of schools present. Expect anywhere from 4-8 hours of track and field. Because of this, it is sometimes ok to get your own transportation to and from the meet. This should be communicated ahead of time to the head coach through email and athletes should check out with the coach before leaving. For conference and state championship meets athletes are expected ride the bus to and from.

Who competes in indoor track meets, how long are they, and how is transportation done? Indoor track is a challenging season for a number of reasons but mostly because of the lack of facility space for meets to be held. As a result, schools are usually allowed only a certain number of athletes to bring. This makes it difficult for everyone to get the opportunities they would like to race. The posted schedule tries to indicate what level (Varsity, Junior Varsity, or a mix of both) will be competing at each meet. We will have these conversations with the individual athlete.

I understand that not knowing if you or your son/daughter will be competing can pose some challenges schedule wise but this is the nature of the indoor season. Please be flexible as the season progresses. Sometimes it may be last minute that a spot opens up and someone is invited to go.

Most of the transportation to and from meets is provided by the school system. Indoor meets can be a long affair and athletes are allowed to leave if they are (1) done competing, including as an alternate, and (2) have a parent to drive them home who has already communicated with the coach ahead of time. Athletes should be signed out at the meet by a parent. The exception to this is for CCCs and States where all athletes are expected to stay for the whole meet and ride the bus home.

What about missing practices or meets? The expectation is that athletes and parents will do everything possible to schedule appointments outside of practice time. If it is unavoidable that an appointment falls during practice, the athlete should communicate with the coach about this conflict. All communication should go through email include the event coach as well the head coach. Missing practices in indoor track could result in athletes not being considered for meets. Please plan to attend every practice.

Meets are an essential part of the season and a great tool for the coach to assess progress. Athletes should not miss meets that they are scheduled to run in. Everyone participates in dual meets.