By J1 Reporter Niamh McGarry 

Marian track kickstarts their spring season on March 3 with an icy beginning. The first day of practice brought in more than 100 girls who were eager to join the team for the first time or continue improving their skills. 

The track season usually begins around the beginning of March and lasts until the end of May for those who qualify for state. There are three JV meets and roughly seven to ten varsity meets. 

With the addition of two Creighton University athletes assisting the sprinter and jumper coaches, it will be a year full of new leadership and workouts. The team is led by head Coach Greg Golka, along with five other coaches leading distance, hurdlers, throwers, jumpers and sprinters.  

However, on only the second day of practice, the team was faced with a winter ice storm resulting in indoor practices. The sprinting team took the snow day recovering, while the throwers and distance came in for a workout. 

On the snow day of March 5, Distance coach, Roger Wright, led the distance runners in an indoor 8-mile workout; consisting of 100 meter repeats in the gym and laps around the hallway. 

Freshman distance runner Caxtyn Johnson said she is “excited to start [her] first year of high school track.” She also says that “since I ran cross country in the fall, I already know everyone on the distance team and can’t wait to start another season with them.” 

Even with the unpredictable Nebraska weather, the track team members are determined to continue practicing and working hard. Each member of the team shows up to prove themselves and improve their skills. 

The track team is a welcoming environment and a sport open to anyone interested. This year the team has gotten rid of tryouts to allow anyone who has an interest in joining the opportunity to do so. 

Coach Golka and the other coaches are excited to start another season and see the new talent and hard work this year has to bring.

Senior Lucy Ambrose begins her fourth year on the team. “Marian track has taught me so much about myself and given me some of the best friends.” Ambrose encourages anyone looking for a fun sport to try out. “It is a welcoming community and everyone has an opportunity to participate,” she said.  

Although the first week of track and the other spring sports has been disrupted with the snowy weather, the athletes are determined to continue working hard and prepare for meets that are to come.