Over the past couple of months, the Fair Grove High School Track team has been practicing for the current 2025-2026 season. The first meets took place in late March and early April, showcasing members’ skills for the rest of the season.
Practicing for track can vary daily due to the many events students can participate in. Cinch Dowling (10), a member of the track team, explained how track practices are run, “Practice varies daily depending on what our goal is for that week. But for the most part, we warm up as a whole, and then the distance group works on their speed with two to six mile runs daily as well as a hip/core workout plus stretching.”
This year, however, the coaches are taking a different approach when it comes to practicing, specifically with the different grade levels of students participating.
Micheal Zanzie, one of eight track coaches, explained, “…last year we lost two veteran coaches Coach Marc Green and Coach Kayla Holt, with those coaches stepping down we have had some other coaches step up.” Zanzie continued, “While brainstorming with Coach Lindsay Martin we have decided it would be best to combine seventh through twelfth grade. This is quite the change, however, we feel it will be a great thing for our program.”
Even with the change, the coaches are looking forward to many things for the rest of the season. Carrie Green, another track coach, explained, “I’m really looking forward to seeing how much our athletes grow, both physically and mentally. Every season brings new leaders and new opportunities, and it’s exciting to watch athletes step up and challenge themselves.” She added, “I’m also excited to build on the momentum from last year and continue strengthening our team culture.”
Ty Hart (10), another member of the team, described how he wanted to focus on improving himself for this season. He stated, “I especially want to focus this year on just continuing to improve myself personally. During the meets, I want to focus less on doing better than the people around me, but instead on doing better than my previous times or heights.”
Hart continued, “I think that if I come into the season with this mindset, I will be able to get the most out of the season while actually enjoying it the whole time.”
This track season comes with many changes and goals that not only students, but coaches want to achieve. At the same time, this season is the last for many members. Carson Trussell (12) explained, “It has a different feeling, it’s surreal, almost feels like a movie.”
The coaches have many goals for the rest of the season. Zanzie explained, “As always I feel like we can compete at a high level both individually and as a team. We always set our sights on winning conferences and districts. I think that is a realistic possibility.” Zanzie added, “We have also talked about getting back to enjoying what we do and having fun watching ourselves progress throughout the year.”
The next high school track meet will be on April 28th, at Fair Grove.
