Here at Liberty, Track and Field has been a sport for over thirty years now, but it was not always offered as both a winter and spring sport. Originally, it only had a spring season, but several years after the school was established, the indoor winter season was added. Every year, students participate in both indoor and outdoor track. Although, as of late, the number of students joining indoor track and field has dwindled in comparison to the number of students who join outdoor.
There are a few key differences between indoor and outdoor track and field. One of them being the obvious, the winter season is indoor while the spring season is outdoor. Another main difference is the track size and environmental conditions. For indoor, the tracks are 200 meters, making every section 50 meters long. The track is also banked, meaning the course is designed with raised outer edges on its curves, which causes the track to tilt inward. The 600-meter and 1000-meter running events are the most common for indoor track. Meanwhile, the 60m dash and 60m hurdles replace the outdoor 110/110m. The tight turns of the indoor track require more deceleration and faster recovery compared to the course outdoors.
Outdoor track offers a wider range of events, including both short sprints and longer distance races.” Each section is 100 meters, equalling a full 400-meter-long course. The track itself is larger with flatter and wider turns. Spring track has a lot more competitions and types of racing events to offer. Outdoor track and field can hold events like the javelin, discus, and hammer throw due to the lack of space limitations that indoor track has. This is especially important for senior Cody Resseman, who has competed in the discus for the past three years now. “For winter track I do the 55 meter, but for outdoor I do the discus, and it quickly became my favorite.”
Data and student feedback suggest that outdoor track is more popular than indoor track. Last school year, about thirty more people joined spring track and field over winter. It has several more tournaments, events, and larger participation and attendance. “Spring track definitely feels like a bigger season when compared to winter,” says sophomore Eliana Davis. But what is the reasoning behind this?
The main factor that seems to keep popping up is the weather and environment. Two-year alumna, Scarlett Mortenson, prefers outdoor track after having experienced both. “I find that the air outside makes it easier to run in.” Scarlett is a long-distance runner, so she often takes laps around the campus to train her endurance. Due to the happy medium of spring weather, it is more comfortable for her to run in such conditions. “I think that people gravitate towards nicer weather. Usually, harsh winter conditions and the air can make it harder to breathe. No one wants to run like that. From my experience, the weather is the main reason why outdoor track is more popular.”
Senior Cian Carroll has participated in three full years of track and field here at Liberty, making that six seasons. He competes in the 300 hurdles and 1600-meter run. “I enjoy outdoor track more because there are more people on the team. It’s a warmer season, which automatically makes everyone feel energetic and happy,” says Carroll. When asked why outdoor track is more popular among students, he responds, “I think it’s because everyone is just happier in spring. The warm weather puts everyone in a good mood, and it’s a lot easier to run in a little heat than in ice-cold temperatures.”
Eliana Davis is a sophomore and has been doing track and field since her eighth-grade year. She, too, prefers spring track. “During outdoor track, I wasn’t constantly freezing, so it was easier for me to practice and train. I also enjoy the outdoor races more, like the 100 and 200m,” explains Eliana. “Indoor is just really cold, and it makes it a pain to run in. Your throat gets ice cold, and it starts to hurt to breathe.”
Despite the cons of winter track and field, every athlete can tell you it pays off. Overall, Track and Field is a positive and popular sport. Cian Carroll speaks on this. “The friends and experiences you make along the way are unlike any other. Not only does your body benefit from it, but you also make amazing friends. The team is always encouraging of each other. I’ve never had any negativity from the team. I am really glad I joined when I did.”
