By Ben Rossi – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law indoor track team continues to train in hopes to compete in a meet this winter season.

After what has been a chaotic year for all sports, the indoor track team has been forced to practice outside in the cold weather in hopes that a meet will come soon.

“This has been the most unique year we have ever had for indoor track in the 10 years of the program,” head coach Mr. Beler said. “In years past, when the weather turned bad we would train indoors running the hallways, fitness room, and weight room exercises whereas this season we are using the teachers parking lot, areas around the school and track when not under snow and ice.”

Unlike most teams,  Beler has to coach a team of over 50 athletes.

“We have had over 50 athletes at every practice and I commend their work ethic and enthusiasm,” Beler said. “Like all teams during COVID, the athletes have had to face tremendous challenges and the reason we have such optimism and enthusiasm is due to our captains.”

Sophomore Elly Van Waveren who runs the 50m hurdles and is a part of the 4×200 relay team has expressed her frustration with the way the season has started.

“Since we have to wear a mask while running it’s very hard to breathe, and we get tired a lot faster,” Van Waveren said.” It’s also difficult because we can’t practice inside the building so when it snows we have to cancel practice instead of just moving inside.”

Unfortunately, COVID-19 has put many of the athlete’s goals on hold.

“My personal goals were to make States in all of my events and run times that are on par with D1 or D2 college recruiting standards,” senior captain Ethan Harrigan said. “I am pretty sure we are no longer having States meets and at the moment they are going to have us wear masks during our events, but I still plan to run to the best of my ability.”

The loss of a traditional state tournament is difficult for many of the athletes.

“As a captain I’ve been stressed with our season getting postponed week after week,” senior captain Naheim Washington said. “As a senior it feels like I’ve worked for four years and haven’t really had a chance to show my full potential.”

Even though Beler could not schedule practices, captains still found ways to train and get better each day.

“During this offseason the other captains and I came together and made sure the team knew that even though our season keeps getting postponed we need to be ready in case an opportunity for a meet arrives,” Washington said.