by Judah Niemeier
With only 12 boys out for track, the Hi-Line Boys Track Team is looking to finish their season strong.
According to coach Steve Johnson, their biggest challenge is the weather.
“Outside of that, it will be the lack of depth we will have. We are strong in certain events, but we don’t have enough participants to fill every event,” Johnson explained. “A small squad just limits us in how many team points we will be able to score. But we should see some great individual performances this season.”
Johnson said it has been a good season for the team in the sprinting and throwing events. He offered some advice for the track and field athletes as they finish their season.
One of the best aspects of track is that it is so competitive based. Not only do you compete against others, but more importantly, you are competing against yourself every day! It is easy to measure your success and see yourself improving,” said Johnson.
Johnson compared track and field competition to building a house: “You get to see and enjoy the progress you are making. We time and record everything so you are constantly encouraged to keep breaking your records. This team has as much “want to” as any team I have coached. They ‘want to’ improve, they ‘want to’ compete, they want to win, they ‘want to’ be coached, and they ‘want to’ see their teammates succeed,” said Johnson. “Everyone thinks that if you can’t place or win gold medals that you aren’t very good and you shouldn’t participate in track. Nothing is further from the truth! I have coached a lot more champions without medals than athletes that have a lot of medals to their name! All you need to be successful on the track is a little ‘want to.’”