On Monday, March 2 the start of the 2015 Track and Field season began.  Athletes kick the season off with getting into shape and training their bodies and minds for the next upcoming months of hard work.  Practices are currently being held on the track unless the weather is inclimate then the athletes will go inside and utilize space available around the school.  No matter the weather, coaches stress that It’s important the athletes always come prepared to wear sweats to warm up in to prevent pulling muscles and to stay warm throughout the beginning of practice.

“At this point it’s a matter of getting into shape and getting our minds prepared for what we have to do in order to be champions,” said Coach Louis-Bauer.

“What you put in is what you will get out of this sport,” said Coach Brandon Gregory.

In Track and Field, mindset plays a big role in how the athletes perform.  It’s extremely important for the athletes to stay positive and focused.  Coaches want the athletes to have a hard work mentality and push themselves at practice so in the end it will payoff at the meets.  Supporting other teammates with good sportsmanship, dedication, and hard working attitudes will help the team succeed high achieving goals this year.

“You really have to be determined to improve yourself as an individual,” throws Coach Brune said.  “You’re not relying on anyone else.  It’s just you versus a tape measure or you versus a  stop watch.  Unless you’re on a relay team it’s really just a personal challenge and personal battle to try and improve yourself.”

Several new coaches are being presented to the Track and Field staff this year. Coach Scherff will be coaching Pole Vault, Coach Brocksmith will be coaching distance, Coach Lunsford will be coaching sprints and Coach Thompson will be coaching jumps.  Track and Fields returning coaches for this year are Coach Brune, throws; Coach Krieger, distance; Coach Gregory, sprints/hurdles; and Coach Louis, sprints.

“As a new coach I’m most excited about getting started and getting to know all the different athletes out here on the track,” said jumps Coach Thompson.  “I can’t wait to see what improvements the athletes  make over the course of the season and how much they grow and learn.”

At the end of the last Track and Field season Howell North lost Head Coach Doc. Hennenfent as he moved to Florida, but as for the 2015 season Coach Louis-Bauer has taken over and is the new Head Coach for the team.

C“The biggest change is all of our meets this year are during the week instead of on weekends,” said Head coach Louis-Bauer.  “There has been a lot more JV meets added in this year and every level has at least one meet a week which will help train for the big events of GACs, Districts, Sectionals, and State.”

All events are hoping to go far this year with their athletes.  Coaches are setting high expectations to pull through qualifiers to represent Howell North at Sectionals and State.

“I’d like to see a lot more athletes at State, or` at least representing us a sectionals would be a big thing for Francis Howell North,” said coach Louis.  “ I’m hoping to take a few sprinters or even jumpers to state because we haven’t seen that in a long time.”

“I’m always excited to see how much improvement others and I are going to bring in the new season,” said athlete Danelle Collier.  “This year I am excited to have more people interested in hurdles and high jump.  I can’t wait to see what the 2015 season brings us.”