by Canaan Freeman | Staff writer

The new track season is starting up and the Jags have their sights set on winning district.  With last year’s success, (three athletes being sent to state and both teams sweeping the district meet),  expectations are high for the Johnson track team this year. The team did lose a lot of key runners, due to graduation, but in return they received even more talent. With the district having such stiff competition, coming out on top won’t be easy.

“The goals that we have set are that we’re going to get the district meet for sure, as well as trying to go on to state,” junior runner Cameron Williams said.

In order to accomplish these goals and expectations, health and being in shape is essential to the athletes’ success.

“We drink lots of water and make sure to stay healthy and get some workouts in,” Williams said.

The coaching staff prepares the athletes for the district meet and the regional finals. Having many coaches is also a plus.

“I think having a good plan for your runners from distance to sprinters. We have six coaches out there and each coach is assigned a different area of the track and field team,”  coach Michael Dutson said.

The Jags are setting themselves up to continue to be productive and make themselves the winners in district, with state following.

“Our goal last year was to win the district championship, and we did that with both girls and boys varsity and JV last year. This year our goal is to win the regional championship and to qualify as many athletes as possible to state,” Dutson said.