Winter Track

Most students know that girls track is a varsity-level sport at Medina High School that runs from March until May. However, many are unaware of the winter season that begins at the end of December. Track athletes need to train year-round and coaches Phil Brewer and Scott VanFleet know that they need to support the needs of their athletes. Senior athlete Riley Nicol stated, “Winter track is nice because you can really focus on getting in shape and developing your skills.” Knowing that many athletes want to get in shape like Riley, the Medina coaches offer students a winter track program.

Winter track is a flexible training program that allows athletes to participate and train for the track season while still participating in other seasonal sports. Athletes have the option of going to practice three days a week for ninety-minute sessions. A typical practice consists of stretching, running fundamentals, sprints, distance runs, and ends with thirty minutes of lifting. The girls on the team run outside when there is no snow on the track and take their training to the halls of Medina High School in inclement weather.

Of course, the winter track season has other perks besides training. Senior Sarah Clardy said that she enjoys winter track because she “loves being with the girls and building the relationships that make a strong team.” She is not the only one that feels this way. Freshman Payton Kopkas said that she likes how she “can meet new people before the season starts, especially the older girls.” The coaches foster this team unity and spirit by having the girls run together and support each other with their daily goals. It is clear that the comradery developed during winter track is an asset during the spring season.