Breathing steadily, waiting for the starting gun, athletes prepare to compete, each hoping to be the first one to cross the finish line. As the gun fires, the race starts, and pressure mounts, each runner trying to beat their personal best, moving towards a chance to improve their times before the season truly begins.

This winter, MN’s track team has been invited to conduct practice and race at the College of Saint Mary, giving athletes a chance to improve their times early and excel during the season.

“It just gives me a benchmark of how I’m doing based on how I did, and it shows me what I need to work on,” senior hurdler Dylan Lee said.

The events are structured like typical outdoor meets, giving athletes a feel for competition before the season starts. Events include a variety of sprint, distance, and field events; the students select the ones they prefer.

The College of Saint Mary hosts open-track practices on Tuesdays and Saturdays, as   well as hosting three races throughout the winter season. Two preliminary races took place on Jan. 11 and 25, and the finale will take place on Feb. 15. These meets are open to the public, allowing athletes from any school in the metro to attend.

“Athletes are entered in specific events, compete in heats or sections, and receive times or marks just like a regular meet, but on a smaller scale than large outdoor competitions,” MN track coach Monte Scheef said.

For some of these athletes, this was their first opportunity to see their skills in action, while the team’s veterans are using it to identify what they can improve on before the season starts.

“It just helps me see where my training is at to see all the work that we’ve been doing paying off,” freshman Kellen Brady said.

Many athletes are already preparing for this season’s “peak,” reserving their potential high times for the season for other high-stakes meets, such as district and state meets, but they still put in their best effort.

“The stuff that we’re working on is real improvement, but I’ll say that during the season the races we do would help me improve [enough to where I don’t hit my peak,]” junior distance runner Caleb Thome said.

Many of the students did show a glimpse of their skills, with many MN athletes placing in competitions; sophomore Aaliyah Perry placing 1st in the 60-meter dash and senior Ali Scheef placing 1st in the high jump, both on Jan. 25, for example.

One of the underlying differences between outdoor and indoor racing is that, instead of their usual outdoor practice area, they can practice in a climate-controlled environment. Athletes can practice without the worry of the cold winter weather, helping them make the most out of their winter preseason period.

“When it’s really cold outside, it [an indoor track] provides a normal temperature environment that isn’t cold,” Lee said.

Overall, the meet had a positive impact on the students and coaches, as they saw their progress pay off over time. Students saw themselves improve their times in distance and sprints, while coaches got more time to structure training sessions and give other athletes attention to their skills.

“It’s a great way to develop race awareness, confidence, and competitive toughness while still building toward peak performance in the spring,” Scheef said.

However, one aspect that athletes say can be a challenge is the smaller track, which shortens the 100-meter dash to 60 meters. It also affected the students’ performance in events, particularly having a different feel for the smaller track.

“Curves are a lot tighter, so you feel like you’re running around and around. The air is dry, and it can make your throat really dry,” Thome said.

Although these meets are optional, many of the coaches and students seem to enjoy the opportunity for their students to improve their skills without the effects of the elements.

“These meets build confidence and motivation. Athletes get to see their progress, compete against strong competition, and experience the excitement of racing again,” Scheef said.

When it comes to the students, they encourage others within their team circle to join up and get some extra practice to get ahead before the season truly begins.

“It’s all fun because we all push each other, we’re really competitive when we push each other to be better,” Lee said.

For now, the track team pushes to prepare for the start of the spring, encouraging each other to go above and beyond. Each hoping to make it to their next goal after the preseason: racing in districts and even, with luck, state.