Teams from across the area are preparing for the start of track season with meets as soon as two weeks away.

Both boys and girls from Northview High School have been practicing for a month in anticipation of their first meet on Thursday, Feb. 28 in Baker, Fla.

The team will be participating in 100-200-400-800 meter sprints as well as hurdles, long jump, triple jump, discus, shot put and pole vault, which will be a new event this year.

“I’m really excited about it,” said boys’ coach Aaron Thompson said about the new event. “Hoping to send a couple of people to regionals.”
Thompson said the team looks really good in practice and is well rounded.

He said junior sprinter Holden Moore and senior shot putter and discus thrower Stetson Nash would be among the team leaders.

Lady Chiefs’ coach Natalie Nall said the weather has hampered the team’s practice, but she expects the team to do well this season.

Thompson wanted to recognize assistant coaches Barbara Luker and Jay Madison.

Escambia Academy will begin practice next week to defend state and division championships. The Cougars first match is March 6 in Canoe. They also compete in two meets at Morgan Academy on March 18 and April 8 before the state meet on April 18.

This season’s events will include 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200-meter sprints as well as relays, hurdles, discus and shot put.

“I really lost a lot of my sprinters from last year,” said coach David Walker. “We’re going to be starting over with sprinters.”

The cougars finished first in the state in Division 2A for girls and boys. The boys also finished third overall competing against teams from all divisions.Teams from across the area are preparing for the start of track season with meets as soon as two weeks away.