As Fall sports come to an end, Winter sports are getting ready to start. Central High School coordinates winter track but welcomes runners from around the Valley, including some of our Bulldogs.
Starting in December, athletes will practice twice a week. Sprinter practice is on Tuesday and Thursday at Stocker Stadium. Distance runners practice on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Throwers, Hurdlers, and Jumpers practice on Monday and Wednesday at Grand Junction High School. Pole Vaulters practice at CMU Track on Wednesday. Central does Indoor Track every year, and several coaches do different events. Whether staying in shape for other sports or running for fun, many students attend Winter Track, running in the cold and snow. Hank DeFord, a Junior, comments on how Winter Track works, saying, “There are a couple meets but overall it’s mostly to get in shape for the regular track season and get some fun training and fun racing in”. He also talks of what it’s like to run with athletes that you might compete against in the Spring, stating, “I’m really excited because it’s super fun to run with people who would usually be my competitors and it makes it super fun”. Somewhat like a club sport, all of the schools in the valley start practice in December, running at home on days without an official practice, and receiving feedback from coaches dedicated to the singular area they are coaching. High and Middle Schoolers across the valley are invited to participate in the Winter, as the coaches from Central organize a way for athletes to stay in shape, whether sprinters, jumpers, hurdlers, endurance runners, or throwers. As a start for the season, Winter track keeps athletes going in the cold.
