By Allisha Enger and Claire Erickson
March 18, 2024
Forest Lake, Minn. – Running is a lifelong activity with many benefits. Track is a great way to get faster, better, and competitive, and the North Lakes Academy Track and Field team is no exception.The NLA Track Team started practices for its 2024 season last week. The team consists of roughly 70 students from both NLA and Lakes International Language Academy (LILA). It competes with many other schools including Spectrum, PACT, and Legacy Christian Academy.
The track team competes at competitions called “meets.” These take place at other schools. Events at a meet always go in the same order, and the track events and field events are at the same time, so athletes typically need to go back and forth between events if they are in more than one. NLA’s first meet is in early April.
Track is a very interactive and social sport, and many kids join the team to make friends and improve their physique.
“It’s a fun environment with really kind people who support each other,” said Lucia Woehrle (11), the team manager, “You can get closer with your peers, compete with other schools, and work out”.
To excel in track and field, one needs lots of practice, according to Coach Hope Christensen.
“Anyone can become a runner, but, to be fast, you need to put in a lot of time and effort. Working on running form and strengthening muscles is a big part of excelling in track,” she said.
The sport isn’t just about running, either. There are a variety of options when it comes to track and field.
“There is something for everyone,” Christensen said. “There are fast sprints, and long distance runs. We also have field events like throwing and jumping events. We also have relay events that are always popular.”
Track and field athletes condition their bodies by practicing, regularly jogging, and doing breathing exercises, but not all of the benefits of the sport are physical.
“I think from all the years I have done track, I have not just learned how to be better at the sport, I have learned life skills and tips I need for talking to others and taking care of myself,” said Graciana Conway (10).