Sophomore Brandon Bowman and senior Zay Brown sprint on the Clarke Central High School track. The track and field team is currently preparing for a meet on Feb. 25. “We practice things like 400 base practices so that we can build a base on the (relay) team so that we can come together and get ready for the first meet,” sophomore Joshua Royal said. Photo by Rolando Garibay.
By STACEE DILLARD – Staff Writer
Last track season, the Clarke Central High School boys track and field team placed second at state. This season they strive to place first.
Clarke Central High School’s boys track and field team had their first meet on Feb. 25. The relay team looks forward to the new season.
“(We are preparing by) working harder, going to the extreme, making sure we prepare for the next meet everyday at practice. (We are making) sure that we just go in there and prepare and try to win the whole thing this time,” senior Rico Arnold said. (I am) excited for state, regionals and sectionals. (I am ready), because last year we came so close to winning the whole thing.”
In track and field there are seven events, one of them being relay. In relay, there are the 100 meters and 400 meters.
“It is one person that runs one that passes the baton then the second person runs the whole another lap and passes it to the third person then the fourth person finishes it off,” sophomore Joshua Royal said.
The CCHS boys relay A team currently has sophomore Jonathan Sewell, sophomore Joshua Royal, senior Zay Brown and Arnold.
“We all work hard, we all make sure to push each other every day to make everyone faster and better. And just encouraging each other,” Brown said.
Arnold believes his teammates are hard workers, and that they will be ready to compete this season.
“(I’m looking forward to competing against) Southwest Dekalb, because they beat us in State last year,” Arnold said.
According to Brown, all aspects of a runner are important when being on the relay team.
“There ain’t no quality or form, it is just giving effort. Like form running. you can have the best form and be slow,” Brown said. “So I really give effort. you will be faster and have better form.”
Brown stated that the relay team’s weaknesses are hands offs and their strengths are their speed.
“(Our) weakness is shape, getting in shape. We got to get in shape,” Brown said. “We all grew up together playing football together. (Our strength is that) we’ve got good chemistry.”
This will be Arnold’s and Brown’s last season. Since this is their last season, Arnold and Brown hope to end it on a good note.
“My first year was pretty good. Coach Boda, he is a real good coach, a real hard coach. He makes sure you do all what you need to do and helps you prepare,” Arnold said.
