David Parry, coach of the RHS men’s track team, started a conditioning regimen for the team ahead of the season, which began on March 10.

“We are weightlifting three times a week, and we just began our first day of morning practices, where we do sprint technique [and work] on how to run,” Parry said.

Additionally, Parry has high expectations for breaking records this season.

“There are a number of records we are going after, [including] long jump, 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter, 4×100 meter and 4×400 meter events,” Parry said.

Andrew Robinson, a senior sprinter, has begun training to break records this season.

“I have been lifting every day for the last couple of months, and we just started running at Kent State’s indoor track, and next week we will start sprint technique at 6:00 in the morning,” Robinson said.

Robinson plans on running the 200, 400 and 800 meter events as well as competing in the long jump, but his goal is to beat the school record in the 400 meter. His record last season was 50.4 seconds, close behind the school record of 49.7 seconds.
Parry expects to have a successful season this year.

“I think we are going to have an exceptional team that is going to challenge some records and make some noise in the league, and I look forward to continuing to build our program,” Parry said.

Robinson also has optimism for the team’s upcoming season.

“We have several really good runners this year who will be critical to the team’s success . . . . It is a great day for track and field,” Robinson said.

Terry Cistone, the women’s track coach, also feels optimistic about conquering school records.

“We have some nice girls coming back,” Cistone said.

Cistone said that junior Larissa Kurtz broke the pole-vault record last year, and junior Stephanie Bierman broke the 100 meter hurdle record as a sophomore. His team has also been conditioning.

“Tuesday and Thursday after school we are up in the weight room, and we are working on strength, not cardio,” Cistone said.

Cistone expects to have a large team this year of 50 to 55 girls, including senior Marissa Harbath, another senior with high goals for the season.

“As a team, I would really like to improve the team record and have more fun with it, and I would like to beat the long jump record and make Regionals. The dream is States,” Harbath said.

Overall, both track teams hope to break school records this upcoming season and have begun conditioning to prepare themselves for a new season.