With the track season set to start soon, the Russellville Indians track team is getting ready to compete.
While the spring season was canceled due to the effects of COVID-19, the Indians were able to have a couple of meets during the summer; head coach Sean Lovelace said the team is picking up where it left off like nothing happened.
“The kids have been working hard and getting stronger each and every day,” Lovelace said. “I feel so bad for those athletes that didn’t get to compete last year, but we are taking this year and counting our blessings that we get to compete.”
Lovelace said if the team is at a meet or at practice, he wants to see athletes working hard and behaving.
“I always want to see my athletes working hard and being good people,” Lovelace said. “Whether we are at a meet or in practice, or eating at a restaurant after a meet.”
The team has some high goals for this season, from regular season victories to a post-season run.
“The goals we have set is that each one of our kids get better each and every meet,” Lovelace said. “We also want to be Conference champs, District champs and get a State plaque.”
As the season moves along, Lovelace said he wants to see everyone get better every day and enjoying themselves, as well.
“I want to see each of our athletes get better each and every day,” Lovelace said. “I just want to see my athletes get better and make sure they are having fun and enjoying the sport.”
Lovelace said, this year, the team is focusing on its jumps and the challenges it might face, in track and in life.
“This year, we are focusing on climbing the mountain in front of us, both in track and field and in their life,” Lovelace said. “Our theme this year is ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,’ and we focus on the things in their life that are hard and they have to work to get over that mountain. Track-wise, we are focusing more on the jumps this year, as in the past, we have made that secondary, and this year, we are making sure we are not forgetting those events.”
Russellville track schedule
March 23 - 3:30 p.m., at Russellville Quad
March 25 - 3 p.m., at Linn Quad
April 10 - 9 a.m., at Russellville Invitational
April 13 - 2 p.m., at Show Me Conference
April 27 - 3 p.m., at California Invitational
April 30 - 3 p.m., at South Callaway
May. 8 - TBA, at Districts