Track teams already prepping for spring season

Last year, the men’s and women’s teams ended the season at the state meet, which took place at Drake stadium in Des Moines on May 18-20. Both the men’s and women’s teams had competitors who rounded out their seasons. As the fall sports are ending, winter track is starting to kick off, giving athletes an early chance to jump the gun and get to work. Last year, the men’s team finished in 7th place, with 30 points, along with achieving multiple school records and grade records. Tagging along with them was the women’s team. They scored 7 points and finished in 27th. They also rewrote the Cedar Falls records book, racking up multiple all-time performances. 

Coach Dirk Homewood said, “The goal is to win the state meet. Our projected amount of points for this year is under what we scored when we won the state championship last, which shows how strong of a team we are. We just need to keep working and have leaders step up and get the team on a new level. Everything we do will be in preparation for that, allowing us to compete at our best.” 

On both the men’s and women’s sides, opportunities for winter training have already started, but it is not too late to join. 

Senior Ahmed Aldamak said, “Winter training is a lot of fun. It’s the off-season, which is the best part. It allows you to have fun and not worry about performing or being in stressful situations yet. It breaks the rust off from the previous year and really sets you up well. I think anyone going out for track should take advantage of it and start. Transfering from Ames, this is my first track season here. However, I think it is one of the best winter training programs I have been involved in.”

The mid-distance runners meet in Homewood’s room every day after school. The long-distance runners meet in coach Brett Egan’s room, which is in the math hallway.

The Tiger’s first meet will take place on March 7, which is held at Iowa State. It is the 2024 Iowa HS Indoor State Track Meet. This will be the first time the Tigers have attended this meet in recent years.