The Smithers Secondary School track team is back at it for another season.
Athletes have been training since early March inside the SSS gym and have recently moved outside to begin their preparation for their first meet.
So far, the turnout has been strong, with about two dozen athletes competing in various racing disciplines from 80 metres to 3000 metres, shot-put, long-jump, high jump, javelin and steeplechase.
Though the season is a short one, the kids are ready to go. They’ve been keeping themselves in good condition throughout the offseason.
“Generally the kids are pretty fit,” head coach Jody Barber said.
“They’ve been doing a fair bit of strength training during the winter and now it’s a matter of fine tuning their technique.”
Barber, who specializes in long distance running, is also looking to add a few more coaches.
“It would be great to have some other people help out,” Barber said. “If they have expertise in any discipline we would love to have them. Hurdles and jumping are pretty technical sports, so it would be nice to have some expertise.”
Specifically, Barber is looking to add jumping, hurdling, and sprinting coaches to the mix.
“Being a part of their journey to help them reach their potential is very rewarding,” Barber said, of her coaching experience. “Kids that come are excited to be participating, and it’s always lots of fun.”
In the meantime, some of the older students have stepped up to mentor the younger ones.
“The senior students have been a big help, they’re taking on a mentoring role and helping the juniors get into the sport.”
The team is debating whether or not to head to Prince George for their first meet of the season this weekend. If they have a low turnout and decide not to go, the official season will be an even shorter one.
They’ll head to Prince Rupert for a meet on May 10 and then return home for zones on May 17.
If athletes qualify at zones, then they will be eligible for provincials, which will be held in early June in the Lower Mainland.
In order to make it to provincials, they’ll have to beat zone competitors from Prince Rupert, Hazelton, Terrace, Kitimat, Houston, the Queen Charlottes and New Aiyansh.
Anyone interested in coaching is asked to call Barber or athletic director Chris DeYoung at Smithers Secondary School.