SUPERIOR – Last week, practices began for the Superior Track and Field team as the kids began to prepare themselves to run, jump and throw their way to victory this spring.

So far, the kids have been doing exercises to work out the necessary muscle groups and build their endurance. Track and field uses very different muscles from other sports, something which became clear as athletes who just came out of basketball felt their bodies protest some of the workouts.

According to Amber Winter, coach of the throwing events, the transition should not be too difficult to get used to. The team usually does a core workout before moving through a sequence of arm, leg, agility and speed workouts. This regimen is expected to help the kids across the board.

“Every event takes at least a little bit of each of those skills,” Winter said.

As of Wednesday, March 19, there were approximately 20 kids signed up for the team. Winter said more would trickle in over the days until the first meet.

“We’re not sure of the total just yet,” Winter said.

It may be awhile before a final roster is completely decided. With many of the students on the team also involved in other school activities, their time is divided in several different directions. Winter said a final roster should begin to form within the next few weeks, as different projects and events finish.

According to the coach, there will be approximately nine meets before districts this season. The different schools in the area will take turns hosting the competitions each week. Winter said Alberton would likely host one or two meets. The other schools in the county are not expected to play host this year.

St. Regis and Alberton are expected to go to a number of the same meets as Superior. As a result, the teams will face off against each other often. Some of the other schools in the competition this year will include Seeley-Swan, Polson, Charlo and Darby. Winter said some meets have 20 schools or more represented.

“It’s not always just Class C,” Winter said. “Sometimes it’s Class BC, A, it just depends on the meet.”

Because all the schools were just starting practices, it was too early for Winter to say how the other teams would be this season. She said Charlo was usually the biggest competition the Superior team faced.

Last year, the three girls on the team took the State Championship before two of them graduated. The team did not lose many athletes going into this season. Winter said most of the team was back and she felt it would be a good season for them this year.

Because practices started on Monday, March 17, the team has had to do a crash course of training to get them ready to compete. Superior’s first meet will be on Saturday, March 29, at the Ronan Invitational.

“The first meet is always rushing to make sure everybody has enough practices in and they’ve got enough skill to compete for the first time,” Winter said.