After spending the winter training indoors, the men’s track and field team moved their practices outside this week, getting themselves one step closer to their first IHSAA meet at the University of Indianapolis on March 6.

Senior Isaac James said he has high hopes for the team this year and is excited for the season.

He said, “We have a lot of potential this season. We don’t have as many seniors as we used to have, but I think we will be good this year because we have specific people that can win their events.”

Despite last year’s loss at State, head coach Kenneth Browner said the team is hungry for the State title this year. He said the boys know the feeling of second place and now know what it takes to win the whole thing. James agreed with Browner that the team is more aggressive this year.

“We lost some good kids. We had a good senior class, but I think these guys are hungrier because they have had that taste of State in their mouth and they know what work is required to get there and win it,” Browner said.

Although the team is younger this year, James and Browner said they are not worried about the age of the team because they have strong leaders and teammates to teach them. When it comes to motivating the younger teammates, James said you have to prove to them they have a lot of potential.

“Based off of my past experience on the team, I am able to help motivate the younger guys. I know why I am here at track everyday and I help teammates realize their potentials. If you attack everything with the right mindset you can help motivate yourself and your teammates to do better,” James said.

Browner said he is excited for this upcoming season.

“We just need to be tougher. I’ve been telling my guys we just need to be tougher this year. If we do that and keep working hard, we can win State this year.”