Senior Javonte Jones sprints down the curve of the track heading toward his target. Jones has one thing in mind; to place the golden baton into the palm of his teammate in the exchange zone. The hand-off must be crisp, Jones must then go back to the starting point. Eight more runs for perfection, then they’re off to sprints.
“You love it, and you hate it,” Jones said. “I don’t really like all of the running but I enjoy the season.”
This year the track team has gone under new leadership. Ennis’ track and football coach Troy Bates has come over to step into the place of head track coach for Legacy. Because of the opening of Lake Ridge High School there was a need for transition in many staff positions, including coaching.
“I really like the new coach,” Jones said. “He seems to know his stuff.”
Coach Bates has different theories about running his track team. He wants speed and results. Coach Bates started training his team the week after winter break. Mondays and Wednesdays are speed training and Tuesdays and Thursdays are conditioning days.
“I think the track season is going to be a lot better because I’m a senior,” Jones said.
Including Jones, there are a total of seven seniors on the boy’s track team. Altogether there are between 25-30 runners and jumpers. The more guys on a team, the more likely injury will occur. Coach Bates treats his track team just as he would an olympic runner. He tells them to eat right and, most importantly, to tend to whatever hurts. However, unlike most track teams, Coach Bates did not have his boys run in the Mansfield Invitational track meet at Mansfield High School.
“I don’t believe in running so early in the season,” Coach Bates said. “Sprinters and the cold just don’t mix. All it leads to is injuries, and we can’t take any injuries.”
The boys track team have their first meet on Saturday, Feb. 23rd.
“Overall, I’m excited for the season, my friends are all here and I’m ready to compete,” Jones said.
