April 8 kicked off this year’s track season at Hayes High School, joining both new and veteran members in what will hopefully result in a highly successful team. The 2008 season is the first in four without Jake Edwards, 1600m state champion, and record-breakers Emily Ballinger, Jaaron Corbin, and Bridget Connolly. However, coaches Kevin West and Andy Graham remain confident in this year’s group.

“We have more depth on the boys’ side this year,” said West, who is in his eighth season of coaching track. “I’m really excited about the relays. We’ve got a number of guys that are really good that are freshmen or sophomores that don’t have the experience yet, and when you put them together [with the upperclassmen], they can be a great relay team.”

The girls’ team shows promise, as well, despite a lower number of members this year. With strong returning runners and an overall sense of determination, the team has “exceptional individual competitors,” according to West.

Individual competition is an important key for competing in track. While other sports may rely on entire groups to work together in practiced patterns and agile hand or foot work, track focuses on what one person can do for the team as a whole.

“We’re more concerned with individual improvement than how we do against our competition that week,” said West. “You don’t necessarily have to be faster than the person running next to you. You know, you could lose by 15m but still see it as a victory if you ran faster than the week before.”

Track involves utilizing a variety of skills, ranging from upper and lower-body strength to speed and flexibility.

“I love track!” said Olivia O’Sullivan, a senior on the girls’ team this year who has been competing for seven years. “I run hurdles, along with some of the relays. I love hurdles and I enjoy being outside in the nice spring weather. And my track girls are the best.”

Brian Dunlap, a senior on the boys’ team this year, also feels the comradery that only being on a team can bring.

“It’s not all about running, but about having a good time,” said Dunlap, who runs six different sprints, including the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m. “Track is a very fun sport.”

The team is also anxious to compete in the OCC tournaments, which are scheduled for May 15 and 17.

“Everything we do is in preparation for OCC and the district meet,” said West. “Track is different in that everybody qualifies for the district meet. Performance during the season doesn’t affect where you are, or whether you qualify.”

This year the team hopes to break more records, as in previous years, but if not, that is okay, as well.

“I just really enjoy working with the athletes and helping them to prepare for competition,” said West. “It’s about helping them to get the most out of their athletic ability.”