5:30 a.m. The moon still shines brightly and streetlamps glow softly in the dusk. Track runners are already starting their day, heading to the school to first drop their things off in the locker room before beginning their endurance-focused work out. Track and field students are ready for a new season. With countless hours of practice and workouts, the Runnin’ Wolves are determined to seize the top place in their events.

“We have been doing really well so far,” junior Jackson Vicary said. “District is in a couple weeks and we plan on advancing and working towards State.”

Most people confuse track and field with cross country, or believe them to be the same. While they are similar, there are some differences regarding distance and time.

“In comparison to cross country season, the mileage for track and field goes down, but the intensity goes way up,” junior Silvia Navarro-Valdez said.

Practice runs every Monday through Saturday. Runners come together and carry out the workouts that the coaches have planned for the season.

“The workouts consist of rigorous speed work,” Navarro-Valdez said. “We do a lot of mile repeats, as well as 200 meter and 400 meter repeats at diligent paces.”

Besides training, track and field students also utilize any extra time they have at practice to ensure that they are ready for the school day ahead of them.

“During our long runs, my friends and I will orally study for upcoming tests, like physics,” Navarro-Valdez said. “Right after practice, we have some time to relax in the locker room so we take advantage of that time to study, too.”

The Runnin’ Wolves help each other out outside of school as well. They do not let competition prevent them from bonding, and even though they all compete for a limited amount of spots at track meets, the team is still a family.

“The runners are honestly my best friends,” senior Niki DeLuc said. “No one understands you better than your own teammates.”

Track and field has also had an impact on how the runners interact with the world around them, affecting all of their relationships and not just their friendships.

“Being on this team has really shaped the person I am,” Vicary said. “Running is a big commitment and ultimately makes me a more determined person.”