Having participated in not a single meet last season, the Saint Louis U. High track and field team is hungry for competition after last year’s season was cut short. Busy these past two weeks training, with the first day of practice last Monday, the team has already demonstrated its tremendous depth and talent while preparing for the first meet of the season on March 25.

Although the track and field team will race this year, it will do so in smaller meets with no spectators in order to align with safety regulations in the city of St. Louis. Team members will not have to test every two weeks due to the low contact nature of the sport.

“There's no reason why guys who are waiting to do a long jump need to be within six feet of each other. Our throwers, when they're waiting for their turn to throw, are gonna stay six feet apart and keep that separate distance, and that will help us in terms of contact tracing should anybody unfortunately test positive. So, we're going to try and keep guys as separate as they can,” said head coach Joe Porter.

Last year’s season (or lack thereof) has had lasting consequences for the track and field program. Many track events, like pole vaulting, require a high level of technique which can be mastered with practice. Missing last season has negatively affected returners who need precious time to practice the demanding skill and technique that an event like pole vaulting requires.

“It was disheartening because we had so much potential last year,” said senior Robert Stevenson. “As a junior last year, I was really hopeful that I could improve on my previous times. With the season cut short, it was a little frustrating.”

However, not all threw in the towel last season when the season ended. For some, the time offered a chance to continue focusing on their training and persevere despite the lack of practices. Now, as it has been over two years since a track competition, these members are excited to show off all the countless hours of training and dedication that they have put in during the off season.

“It was really rough not having anybody to run with or compete against. There was not a lot driving me,” said senior Daniel Hogan. “I think that it was definitely important to continue training. I know other teams that their training was more sporadic. But we really stepped up, and I think that is why we have a history of doing well and why we continue to see success.”

Already the team has performed well. Last Saturday, the distance team ran a 1200-meter time trial, and yesterday, the sprinters ran a 200-meter time trial. These two races resulted in a lot of quick times and has made many hopeful for the up-coming season.

“We’ve got a lot of fast guys sprinting this year including one really good freshman, Ryan Wingo who already has a D1 offer,” said senior Aidan Byrne. “We haven’t been too good at sprints in the past but this year things are starting to look pretty good.” 

Despite the pandemic and the difficulties that it has brought for the SLUH track team, Porter is hopeful that this season will be a strong and successful one.

“Our goal is to focus on how good we can get every day,” said Porter. “If every day we just improve just a little bit more, by the time we get to the late season meets in late April and May, we'll be looking to have our best performances.