As the girl’s track season starts up, snow has become both a blessing and a curse. Sledding was a big hit for the girls, but as the snow drags on, they can’t help but want to get back to their normal practices. With so many different activities track and field has to offer, it is easy to find something that suits both those watching and those competing. From the mile to a 100 meter relay, the running events alone are enough to entertain a crowd, but the field events offer even more interesting activities such as pole vault and long jump. The various options in track and field make the sport much more unique than other sports offered at the school. Individual growth is highlighted through track in order to allow the athletes to reach their full potential in their specific events. But while members may be competing individually, the bonding between girls creates a strong foundation that helps the team grow as a whole. As Haley Helgren, a freshman who participates in throwing categories and the 400 meter dash, put it, “I think that this year the track team will grow more than ever mostly with team bonding because it seems numbers have dropped. This year has started out slow, but I can tell once we get to our first meet it will fly by.”

As Helgren mentioned, the numbers in girls track for varsity are down from last year with about 58 members as compared to 67 last year; but, the numbers of junior high members is larger than in past years. Sophie Epps, a junior who runs long distance relays along with the 1600 and 3200 meter, also mentioned, “Although we don’t have as many people out for the team this year as we have had in the past, I am still optimistic that we will do great this season with the athletes that are out for the team.” The numbers haven’t made the Cannon Falls girls track team any less enthusiastic for the growth of their team. However, they are more enthusiastic to finally get outside after almost a month of having to stay indoors and share the field house with other sports.

With only one meet completed so far due to weather, many are antsy to get back on the track. Epps also talked about how mother nature is foiling the team’s plans to practice under normal conditions when she started, “Considering the fact that we have been stuck indoors for most of the season so far, we have had difficulty getting in quality workouts on the track. Under the conditions that we have been dealt, our teams have been working really hard at practice which makes me really excited to start competing in meets and to see who improves this year.” Despite the smaller number of people, they still make friends and have fun with what they’re given because of their strong team bond, even though it’s a more individual sport. The resilience, both physical and mental, that these girls have makes them a force to be reckoned with this year.