Getting Back on Track: Track and Field Begin Season

Track and Field athletes give their thoughts on this upcoming season, their expectations, and their goals.

By: Fabian Anguiano

It’s about that time of year, running shoes are on, javelins, shotputs, and discusses are getting ready launch, and PR’s (Personal Records) are getting broken getting in the high jump. The track season is set to begin!

Thrower Adam Shaewitz, ’25, shares his thoughts coming into this season.

“With this season I feel different, because the past three seasons I have done long distance [running], and only this season I have switched to throwing. So far I have pretty low expectations. I think it would be good though,” says Shaewitz.

On why he switched, Shaewitz says, “Last semester I had a tough schedule … I usally do Cross Country and Track long distance, [and] I didn’t do cross country last semester, and since I was really out of shape I decided to do something that I could probably be good at, plus I did [throwing] in middle school as well.”

On his goals for the season, Shaewitz says, “[To] be on the Varsity team for throwing, also really just gain points for my team. As a runner I didn’t really do as much, so just score points really.”

Since he is a senior, I asked him how he feels coming into his final season. “It feels kind of good but kindof bad at the same time, because the funnest part about sports really to me is spending time with friends, but at the same time I kind of just want to be over with it; it’s tiring sometimes,” says Shaewitz.

I then asked him if he had any expectations for the team this upcoming season.

“Hopefully the team can win EYL again and potentially Valley, but I don’t really have that much expectations,” says Shaewitz.

Long-distance runner Hunter Skoglund, ’27, shares how he feels coming into this season.

“I’m feeling pretty confident. Our winter training has gone really good, so I’m feeling really confident,” says Skoglund.

On goals he has for himself, Skoglund says, “I want to set the school record in the 2 mile, I believe the current record is 9.02 so I am trying to go under that.”

I then proceeded to ask him if team chemistry played a role in his goal-setting. “Defintely, I think we all have that chemistry with each other we all have kind of a friendly competition that helps push each other and pushes us all to be the best we could be,” says Skoglund.

On his expectations for the team as a whole, Skoglund says, “Just to see them show up every day at 6 o’clock pushing themselves to get better. My expectation is for them to have that drive and that discipline just to keep getting better.”

Pole Vaulter Mia LoBue, ’27, shared how she feels coming into this season.

“I feel very excited and very intrigued, I was injured last year but this year I am not so I am very excited,” says LoBue.

I then asked her if she had any goals for the upcoming season. “I have a goal to jump at least ten feet six inches, or even higher,” says LoBue.

On if team chemistry played a role, LoBue says, “Yes it does, it’s always good to have good relationships with your teammates and have a positive relationship with your coach as well.”

For her expectations for the team as a whole, LoBue says, “I expect us to do pretty well all season.”

“Another exciting thing about this season is my dad is my coach this year, his name is Michael LoBue, so I am excited about that,” says LoBue.

I asked High, Long, and Triple Jumper Libby Thompson, ’25, how she feels coming into this season.

“I’m feeling good, I’m really excited … I am hoping to make it to state this year, because last year I was one place away from state, but I am really excited to start up. Our next meet is next Saturday (March 8th), but I am feeling really good about it. I’ve been going to pre-season for a while now, so I think It’s going to be a good season.”

On her goals for the season, Thompson says, “Going to state … I really just want to go there to experience it. I also really want to PR this season in high jump, to hit 5 feet 6 inches is what I am aiming for.”

On if team chemistry played a role, Thompson says, “Yeah, it definitely does a lot. [Sometimes] our coaches are not able to be at every practice, so some of our workouts are definitely ran by the team, and we all have to be on the same page to be able to run the workouts.”

“Track is an individual sport at the end of the day. You want to [do] what’s best for you, but it’s always great to have your teammates there cheering you on, and it really helps out in the long run always being there for your teammates and giving them tips,” says Thompson.

I then asked her if she had any expectations for the team as a whole.

Thompson says, “I definitely think we’re going to [do] good in our league … We are missing some pretty good athletes from last year, but I think there [are] some good freshman coming in. We also do just have a strong base from our seniors this year … so I think Redwood is definitely [going to] go all the way and win the EYL.”

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