After both the men’s and women’s teams placed first in the home invitational last weekend, the track and field teams will compete in two meets this weekend: the Waxahachie Big Green Relays and the Lovejoy Spring Distance Festival. The festival will host 50 teams that will be competing in the 800, 1600, 3200 and 2000 meter steeplechase. The meets will take place this Friday and Saturday, respectively.

“This weekend we’re going to split our team up with our sprinters and field event athletes traveling to Waxahachie and our distance athletes staying at home to compete again here at Leopard Stadium,” boys head coach Tim Denton said. “We’re still moving athletes around in different events looking to find the best fit before our district meet in April.”

Last weekend at the Lovejoy Invitational, the men’s team had seven first place finishes, earning an overall score of 221 points. This was 76 points higher than the second place finisher, Frisco Heritage. The women’s team also finished in first with 152.5 points.

“These [athletes] love competing at our home track in front of our home fans,” Denton said. “It’s really exciting to see some of these awesome marks or times this early in the season. This is a special group of young men.”

Denton talked about the struggles that come with competing in often unpredictable weather.

“Our [athletes] are focused on what they need to do during the meet to try to eliminate the distractions, including the weather,” Denton said. “It’s important for our athletes to know their bodies and know how their body is going to respond in different weather conditions. As the season moves on, the weather usually gets warmer, and we begin to peak.”

Senior Jahi Rainey, who is committed to the University of Arkansas for track and field, is currently ranked 13th in the state for discus, throwing 167-11.00. Junior Will Muirhead is ranked 6th in the state for the 3200 meter run (9:26.02) and 18th in the state in the 1600 meter run (4:24.80).

“We’re excited about the opportunities that Will and Jahi have ahead of them,” Denton said. “Will is motivated to return to the state meet after finishing 6th as a sophomore last year and Jahi is really focused on improving in both shot put and discus. He’s come close to getting to the state meet in the past and knows what he has to do to compete there this year. It’s going to be an exciting April watching them compete for that trip to State.”