This year’s track and field season has kicked off with full force alongside the rest of our spring sports and it has players and coaches itching with excitement. Robinson ended last season in the top ten in the district, but players felt there was more to be achieved.

“Last season wasn’t my best season honestly, but I do have some time to recover. I need a little more endurance and just to cut my times down overall,” Rodrigue Demard (’23) said.

Demard is a seasoned runner, returning for his fourth and final year on the team.

“We’ve been preparing with your normal preseason and conditioning workouts, which mainly includes going to the weight room and endurance workouts,” Tammy Jerson (’24) said. “I specifically want to run sub 24 this year. That’s a pretty big goal but if I put in the work I can get there.”

Tammy Jerson (’24) a returning runner at Robinson ranked top three in the district for the 200-meter race last season. She beat her own time from the previous year by almost two seconds leaving her record for the 200-meters at 25.65.

While the team is mostly made up of returning athletes from last year, there are a few new eager faces such as Soleil Olivio (’24).

“I’m looking forward to just bonding with everyone else on the team and being a part of that family and I’m looking forward to seeing myself grow. Since I was doing competitive cheer, I wasn’t able to prepare by going to the off-season practices. However, I’ve been getting mentally ready for it because I knew it’d be a lot.” Olivio said.

Although you’re competing alongside other people for a majority of the events, track and field is a very personal sport that requires physical and mental readiness.

“My only goal this season is to be better than when I started because with track it’s you vs. yourself so I just want to improve in any way I can,” Olivio said.

This year’s team encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and try track and field for future seasons, as they’re always welcoming new people.

“People think it’s just running but it’s way more than that, the connections and bonds you can build are just fantastic,” Demard said.

Their next meet will be held on March 4 at Leto High School.