On the first day of practice for a season unlike any other, the Southern Lehigh Spartans Track Teams gathered in the sun around a maroon oval that some had neither set foot nor eyes upon since March of last year when the spring season abruptly screeched to a halt due to COVID-19.
“I’m most excited to pick up where we left off after our season got cut off last year,” said senior Anthony Clinton.
Of course, despite the long stretch of time apart, many athletes remain optimistic and are excited to get the chance to compete this spring, especially for those who could not last year.
“I’m excited that we’re having a season where I can run. I’m not running for myself, but for those who lost their season last year,” said junior Aiden Tobin.
The Spartan seniors are especially excited, as this season will be their final one with both the team and as high school athletes. This season they anxiously await the old feelings of a race underway.
“I’m most excited about the adrenaline I get from hurdling,” said senior Isabelle Dunham.
This spring season is an opportunity, one many Spartans are grateful for, but it is also one which looks unlike any other before it.
“I think we’re going to be appreciative of our ability to compete this year more than others since we know what it’s like not to have a season,” said Coach Strong.
On this unique inaugural day of the spring season, athletes gathered, masked and separated by six feet of course, before coaches took temperatures at the start of practice. With the sharp beep, the thermometer cut through the mild air in the gym.
The traditional speeches made by coaches were expectations and goals laid out and still occurred. The Spartans are remaining committed to several long standing goals despite potential difficulties that may arise.
“We want to go undefeated in the Colonial League on both teams, and try to win both league meets,” said Head Coach Cotie Strong, now in his sixteenth year as a track coach.
These goals are for a very unique spring season for not only the Spartans but for many other teams as well.
“We’ve never had a spring season where we didn’t have one the year before,” said Coach Strong.
It is this spring season, with spirits high and good weather on the horizon, that the track sits ready to exit it’s long slumber. With portions of several lanes still covered in a thinning blanket of snow, the Spartans will enthusiastically prepare for this season’s races yet to be run.
