With the second semester well underway, the boy and girls track and field teams are off to the races. The boys team recently placed third at UW-Parkside and seven athletes qualified for Nike Indoor Nationals in New York City across eight events. Dominic Newman, head coach, is optimistic for his 26th season coaching  the boys and girls track and field teams.

“We had an early season meet, and the boys did really well,” said Dominic Newman. “Not as strong as I would like for the early season meets…but we’re gonna lock in after this weekend, and expect to see some great things on both the boys and girls side.” 

Joining Newman after taking a year of leave, Eric Mathews is returning to his position as the Head Sprints Coach.

“I really missed coaching last year when I was away,” Mathews said. “We have a really dynamic and exciting group of athletes who have come in with high expectations and lofty goals, and they’ve been really doing an excellent job of pursuing those goals and being consistent.”

In addition to Mathews, there are quite a few changes within the coaching staff. This includes the additions of Cara Volz and Aaron Marek, and the loss of Jason Shimko and, consequently, the pole vault event. The team is adjusting well and already seeing progress.

“I have a new jumps coach this year,” Newman said. “[Cara Volz has] coached some high caliber athletes at her former school. [And we have] a new throws coach…[Aaron Marek] connects with our throwers and they’re having four or five foot PRs already right now in just a few meets.”

While the coaching environment has changed significantly, the coaches maintain strong relationships with their athletes. With these relationships, they collaborate to create strategic yet feasible training plans and goals designed to each athlete and their specific needs.

 “Dom Newman has just become a great friend to me and my family,” Lien said. “He’s really personal. He’s right there for you, and everyone on the team can just really talk to them and have a nice interaction with them.” 

In addition to the contributions from the coaches, the runners often find the biggest progress comes from running with their teammates. Overall, the atmosphere in track and field is highly collaborative and motivating for the athletes. 

“We do a lot of bonding over the summer,” said Ryan Lien, senior. “We do a lot of nice little get-together events and it’s just really fun. We go on these super long runs that involve talking with the guys and having a good time.” 

On April 11, the team had their last indoor meet, the indoor conference. However, the runners aren’t unfamiliar with the outdoor weather they are beginning to race in. 

“What happens during the indoor season is kind of just like chapter one in this big journey that they have as track athletes,” Mathews said. “We’re aiming for what happens and we’re passionate about what happens during the outdoor season.”

Unfortunately, the cold, rainy and snowy weather has been a setback for the team’s training. Despite this, the coaches are prepared to overcome the challenges and be prepared for the season.

“We have to get a little bit more creative in terms of designing practices that can be done like on the sidewalk or in a parking lot or at other spaces away from campus that have large areas where we can run,” Mathews said.

For some athletes the transition from indoor to outdoor can be a double-edged sword. According to Maya Lynn Sankpal-Tatera, junior, there is a clear environmental and mental shift.

“Indoor [meets] have a lot less pressure, however they’re annoying, hard to breathe in, and are much smaller,” Sankpal-Tatera said. “But in the outdoors it’s different. You feel like you are actually on track, music is going, the sun is bright going on your face, and the weather is nice. It feels real, and there is much more teambonding.”

The team’s main goal is to win the D2 state championship, but athletes such as Lien also have individual goals for the season.

“Personally, I’m looking to win the 2 mile at state,”  Lien said. ”I think everyone on the team’s got some big goals and it’s awesome to see everyone fighting to be better and better at every practice.”

While effort in practice greatly determines one’s outcome, running is also an extremely mentally-focused sport. This includes figuring out what events work out best for each athlete, keeping up a strong mentality, and preparing for each race. 

“You  have to truly believe in yourself…and remember progress matters more than the product…the only thing that matters is the work you put in,” Sankpal-Tatera said.

As for upcoming events, Shorewood is hosting both regionals and one of the conference relays, in addition to a meet that had to be rescheduled due to environmental factors.

“I’m helping another team, because Heart Park was flooded with that big storm they had over the summer, so we’re moving their meet here and helping my coaching friends out,” Newman said.