Clarke Central High School track and field members practice at the Billy Henderson Stadium after school on Jan. 26. This season, CCHS head track coach Justin Jones hopes to focus on rebuilding the program and disciplining participants. “We want them to be mentally tough and hopefully, at the same time, mental toughness will also spill over to the classroom,” Jones said. “We want to train them to be mentally tough, disciplined, and work hard and give great effort with a great attitude.” Photo by Natalie Ripps
As spring arrives, the Clarke Central High School track and field team begin practicing for the upcoming season with many new recruits and first-year runners.
On Jan. 16, the Clarke Central High School track and field team held their first practice to prepare for the upcoming season. CCHS head track coach Justin Jones hopes to continue to build the program and to qualify students for further levels of competition through encouragement and discipline.
“Hopefully at the end of the season we’ll have some region champions and even hopefully some state champions,” Jones said. “On the girls side, (I aim) to build more depth and to get more young ladies to come out and compete.”
While Jones works to train students on the track, he also hopes to positively influence athletes off the track.
“We’re looking for good people because track is a really, really tough sport. So basically, good people, good work ethic and being consistent,” Jones said. “The main part of track and field is being here each day.”
CCHS sophomore Lucy Yeomans previously participated in cross country at CCHS and is now trying track and field.
Yeomans hopes to take her long-distance running tactics to the track.
“I’ve never been much of a sprinter. I just can’t keep the tempo fast enough. I like running long distance because I just run and think about everything, and I’ll sing to myself,” Yeomans said. “It’s just like a good time to reflect.”
CCHS junior and boys track member Neil Chavis is looking forward to the season as an upperclassman. Chavis did not participate in track last year due to a hip injury but is excited to return to the team and continue working hard.
“I’m just planning on just taking the lead and just leading the team. Pretty much showing (the lower classmen) how things are done and efficient ways to get to the top,” Chavis said.
Chavis hopes that providing an example to the new team members will encourage the athletes to be their best this track season.
“Don’t talk when the coach is talking, put in the effort, don’t just half-way do things — do things all the way. Because there are people out there, while we’re sitting down right now, just working hard and just always grindin’,” Chavis said. “In order to get to their levels, and to actually compete, you have to put in the same amount or more work.”
