Winter track season has kicked off with enthusiasm, marking the beginning of competition season. In Loudoun County, the stage is set for an exciting season as the teams start gearing up for varsity meets.
While the county allows for 10 varsity meets total, Freedom High School, has strategically opted for only four. These decisions bring forth many advantages and disadvantages. This selection of meets raises many questions about the team’s approach, sparking many discussions within the Freedom community.
“I believe in the saying quality over quantity as I hold a strong belief that diligent preparation, and aiming for peak performance during meets ,” said David Groff, head track and field coach.
The decision to limit the number of varsity meets to four comes from a tactical focus on quantity over quality. Groff intends to maximize training opportunities. With fewer meets on the schedule, the team can adjust to more challenging and specialized practices and fine tuning skills. This choice reflects the coach’s commitment to ensuring when kids step off the track they succeed.
The students had a lot to say about this decision as well.
“Having less meets this season doesn’t give me much time to meet my goals” said Addison Pounder, sophomore mid-distance runner.
Some athletes on the track team harbor concerns that it might impact their competitive journey. They believe that the reduced number of meets this season may limit their opportunities to meet crucial stages such as district, regional, state and national levels. This leaves many students with discouragement to achieve their goals.
While some FHS students disagree with the number of meets given this year, others perceive the exact opposite. For them, the reduced meet offers a welcomed relief, allowing for a more focused and intentional approach to training. The prospect of less frequent opportunities to race aligns with the idea of quantity over quality that the coach put in play.
“Going from meet to meet is very tiring,” said Kayla Waterfield, a senior hurdler.
