The start of spring sports on Monday, Feb. 26th, has not come without preparation. Athletes and coaches have been getting ready in order to aim for a successful season.

Spring sports include boys and girls track and field, boys tennis, boys golf, girls soccer, girls swim and dive, baseball and softball. There are differing goals for the season for each team; some are focusing on building up their team, like soccer.

“This season, I want to focus on having a good team dynamic, not putting as much stress on the season and having fun while playing,” senior Elaina Zung said.

As some sports focus on team dynamics, others have their eyes on the prize, regionals and state. As expressed by both senior golf player Jack Randall and baseball team coach Mike Hill, they have their goals of doing well in state and feel that they are prepared to accomplish that. Hill noted that if their athletes continue to work hard and take feedback they have a shot at state.

“If we play well, we have a chance to be a competitive team and achieve our goal to win the state championship,” Hill said.

Preparation for the season starts way before the actual season; some athletes are competing or practicing their sport all year round. Sports such as tennis and swimming, which do not offer any preseason training, need their athletes to plan their own training regiment if they want to do well.

“It’s rare that you see someone who doesn’t do much in the offseason that makes it to state,” Randy Clark said. “It’s critical for them if they want to play varsity and do well.”

Though a few sports don’t have off-season training programs, most spring sports at Free State do offer pre-season training. With short seasons and high-intensity schedules, athletes often need preseason training, on their own or through the school, to build stamina and avoid injury.

“Going into the softball season, if you don’t do anything prior, it is going to destroy your arm, because depending on the week, it’s six days of throwing the ball in a row,” senior Aly Richardson.

After pre-season and training during the season, athletes can see how it affects their performance in competition. Track coach Jordan Rose noted that all levels of athletes can see their improvement as they move throughout the season.

“Everyone can improve, no matter where they begin, so we strive to celebrate those personal bests when they happen,” Jordan Rose said.