Wright City track coach Fred Ross is expecting a growing season for the Wildcats this upcoming season.

Of the 50 members of the boys and girls track teams, the Wildcats only have 12 upperclassmen. This includes three upperclassmen who are new to the team this year. They have 38 freshmen and sophomores on the team this year.

“The first couple weeks (of practice) were generalization,” Ross said. “Trying to get people in shape. Trying to figure out what event they should do...So it’s kind of testing the waters and seeing what each athlete should be doing.”

Ross noted there will be some adjust ments for the freshmen and first-time members of the track team. They do have good middle school coaches but there are changes in technology and terminology to work through, Ross said. Middle school did not have javelin at all and hardly ever had the pole vault, Ross said. Hurdles and jumping change the approach, he said.

For most of the Wright City runners, Ross’ focus will be on times and distances as personal records.

“I don’t care what place you finish,” Ross said. “We’re working on trying to get better each meet. Trying to beat our PR (personal record) for that meet. And that just makes improvement and gives them something to focus on. Some of these kids will never be in the top six. But they’ll work and get their improvement throughout for four years. Which is awesome and helps them grow as an individual.”

One of the aspects for the Wildcats to figure out is who is running as part of the relay races. The relays include four runners. Hand-eye coordination and timing are key in mastering the relays, Ross said.

“We try to keep them the same order so you’re used to handing off to the same person so you know their steps and kind of the speed that’s coming in,” Ross said. “But with kids you never know. Somebody’s gone and you plug somebody in and they run faster. They run slower. They drop the baton. It’s just kind of like that. But both coaches are excited.”

Each athlete is able to participate in as many as four events. Some of the best athletes may participate in four events, although Ross does not usually place anyone in four events until the end of the season around conference time. They try to rotate them through so they are not tired and do not get hurt or sore. They also mix up events in which the runners participate to prevent tiring them out, Ross said.

Ross said in early March he liked what he saw from his team up to that point.

“I’m really pleased,” Ross said. “All the kids have been working really hard. We’re really pleased how hard everybody’s been working.”

Ross spoke highly of the senior leadership of the team. He also noted they have two returning state qualifiers in Zoe and Elizabeth Riggs.

“We look for their hard work and leadership as well,” Ross said.

Both the boys and girls track teams kick off the season with a meet at North Callaway High School March 29.