Members of the Lexington High School indoor track team have qualified to compete in the New Balance Indoor Nationals, one of two national-level high school indoor track and field meets in the U.S.
“It’s a meet that is nationwide, well-known, and highly respected. It is a very special opportunity,” Rachel Trachsel, the Girls Cross Country and Track and Field coach, said.
The student-athletes on the indoor track team highlighted the vital role of the coaching staff in preparing them for their respective events.
“A lot of it is putting our trust in the coaches. Here at LHS, we really have some of the best coaches in the state. Something that the coaches say a lot is ‘the work you did four weeks ago is what you are seeing now.’ Now, we just focus on a lot of the technical stuff in our practices … and getting more mentally ready for the challenges ahead,” Tim George, a junior sprinter at LHS, said.
Trachsel also believes that the camaraderie and leadership within the team is a crucial part of the team’s success.
“The principle on our team is that you support each other every day that you’re here. You want to see your teammates succeed. You see that in their daily practices, and in their league meets,” Traschel said.
The sense of unity within the indoor track team is further evident through the mutual support among teammates.
“People will be doing workouts and will say ‘Let’s go Lex’ or ‘Let’s go boys’ because now that we are getting into the more serious season we know everyone’s names. This is between not just the sprinters, but all the running groups. [The team] is more of a family now,” George said.
James Hall, the boys team’s head coach, shared his insight into how athletes are preparing for the prestigious event with determination to succeed.
“With the goal of nationals, kids push themselves further and work harder. Even in special conditions the kids still run in snow, run in puddles. They do whatever they need to do to qualify for the meet,” Hall said.
Hall believes that it is the motivation of LHS athletes to do well in the competition that distinguishes them from other competitors.
“My favorite thing about our team is that our kids want to go there for the competition, less the souvenir, while many [other] students go there for the souvenir backpack,” Hall said.
George shared his excitement in qualifying for the event.
“What excited us most was not that we hit [the qualifying standard], but the fact that we had so much more to work on and we could get so much faster,” George said.
The team hopes to capitalize on the event’s opportunities and ultimately achieve their goals.
“The biggest goal is the experience. To see athletes from different countries, and to really see what is possible with track and field. The second thing is to perform as well as you can, and possibly to come back with an All American, an award for placing top six in the event you are participating in,” Hall said.
As the athletes gear up for the New Balance Indoor Nationals, the LHS team exemplifies incredible sportsmanship, teamwork, and dedication to the pursuit of excellence in high school track and field.
