On Feb 29, an unprecedented event took place in the realm of West Athletics: the first official practice of coed Track and Field.
“There is a lot of opportunity for athletes to grow by combining the boys and girls teams,” new girls Head Coach Kristin Witt said. “We will be warming up together, going to meets together, and sharing coaches between the boys’ and girls’ teams. The variety and strength of coaches on both sides will strengthen our field events, our running events and our jumps.”
Although it is Witt’s first year as the girls’ head coach, she has been a high school cross country and track runner herself as well as the assistant coach for boys’ cross country and hurdles for four years.
“I love seeing athletes improve, get better, believe in themselves and achieve their goals. I know exactly where they’re at and exactly what they’re feeling when a workout is really hard because I’ve been there and understand the struggles and triumphs of running,” Witt said.
In addition to the change in girls’ leadership, a slew of new and returning coaches all are combining forces to mentor up to 130 athletes who attended the informational meeting in January.
“Having more coaches will give us a chance to focus and specialize in events rather than having to coach multiple events at the same time,” Boys’ Head Coach Kevin John said.
Because of Witt’s appointment to the new position, the athletic department provided funds for new uniforms, singlets and equipment.
Track’s new Varsity singlets will have the same design for both the boys’ and girls’ teams.
“The guys and girls new warm-ups will look very similar, which is new this year,” Witt said. “With the new partnership with Adidas, we were able to get new singlets for both varsity and JV, and I think everyone will be really excited about them.”
For new runners and old, the track season holds opportunity for self and team improvement.
“I ran Cross Country this fall and I loved pushing myself and improving my times and making new friends,” freshman Claire Smout said. “I’m hoping this track season to continue bonding with my teammates and maybe break 5:30 in the mile and overall just learn the ropes around the track program.”
![Holding the disc, senior Nathan Thompson waits for an opportunity to pass to senior Timmy Fry. Parkway United’s ultimate frisbee team is made up of students from each of the four Parkway schools. “The one thing I really like about ultimate [frisbee] is the community because it’s so different from any other sport I've been a part of. [My] national teammates are people who we play against in the regular season, so we see each other all the time. It's always fun hanging out with [them],” Thompson said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/C96A6823-1200x800.jpg)
![Senior Josie Grunzinger watches the football game intently from the sidelines on Oct. 18. Grunzinger stood out to the crowd as the only girl on the football team, encouraging other girls who want to play football to take a chance and go for a sport outside of their comfort zone. “If you think you could [play football] and you want to do it, just try it, because all it takes is to actually try it out,” Grunzinger said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Untitled-design-1200x675.png)
![With her arms held high, junior Jenna Rickelman throws the ball across the pool during a girls water polo practice. With hours of practice after school and over the summer, Rickelman saw many improvements in her water polo skills. “When I look at [my] stats, I'm so much better than I was last year,” Rickelman said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Untitled-design-2-.png)
![Putting on his helmet, catcher and senior Tommy Eschbach prepares to get in his primary stance. Despite losing 6-1 against Eureka on April 16, Eschbach didn’t let the tough loss affect his playing or mental health. “It's [so] easy to get caught up in the sport and what you're doing that [after] one bad game or a stretch of games it is hard to remind yourself that your worth as a person isn't directly related to your performance on the field,” Eschbach said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0415-1-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Sports organizations have changed lives on and off the field, improving athletes’ muscle strength, reducing their risk of diseases and building energetic work capacity worldwide. However, many student-athletes struggle to balance schoolwork and athletic commitments, hoping to seek more understanding and support from their teachers and coaches. “To lessen mental strain student-athletes [face] and create a healthier, more comfortable lifestyle, there shouldn’t be any homework. I'm already [at school] for eight hours and [homework] creates a bigger load for student-athletes in AP or honors classes,” track and field sprinter and sophomore Lucy Penton said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0095-1-e1713883278514-1200x847.jpg)
![At the Spring Pep Rally on March 8, boys varsity water poloist and junior Jack Brau stands with the boys water polo team. The group, hoping to include everyone — whether boy or girl, varsity or JV — cheered on the girls water polo team during the sports team runouts. “Even though we all play separate games and have different practices, we like to see ourselves as one big group who represent one water polo [team],” Brau said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_8810-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Looking for an open teammate, freshman Patrick May passes the ball across the court at the Nov. 28 game against Parkway Central. May started in the game against the Colts. ”Growing up, [my parents] always gave me a basketball, [and] we had a basketball hoop outside. I grew up playing [all the time], playing on the [driveway] and shooting hoops with my dad.” May said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image2-1-1200x801.jpg)
