Snowy weather did not stop the Wareham High School boys and girls indoor track teams from practicing on Monday, Jan 23.

Instead of a track, the teams opted to practice in the High School hallways.

The teams warmed up by running laps and sprinting down the cafeteria hallway. They began running backwards once they reached the library. 

“This group has really improved throughout the season,” said Head Coach Chris Gardner. “They got really eager in the beginning of the season.”  

He explained that the team was able to keep their excitement level through the holiday break.

“There's a lot of things pulling [them] away in different directions with family stuff and work,” he said, “but they've been able to still continue to work really hard.”

According to Gardner, some athletes do indoor track during the winter months to stay in shape for other seasonal sports. 

“It doesn’t really matter to me why they are here as long as they are doing it for the right reasons,” he said. “Everyone is driven differently.”

In addition to indoor track, 17-year-old Arman Araujo plays soccer. 

“There is obviously the speed and coordination improvements,” he said, “but I feel like with track I started to take sports more seriously, and that carried on through soccer.”

The athletes gave high-fives to their teammates who were finishing laps, and offered them words of encouragement.

“Once I came here and I got to know the team, they felt like a family to me,” said 17-year-old Aiden Rodrick.

Track and field is often considered to be a solo sport. Each teammate’s performance is recorded at every meet, placing an emphasis on personal records.

“Every meet is showing you how hard you’ve been working,” Gardner said. “So it requires the boys and girls to put in a lot of work. It’s very demanding.”

Despite the sport’s individual nature, the track team creates a supportive environment for everyone.

“I love the team, it is my favorite part of high school,” said Araujo. “I love the people here and the environment that they give out.”