On the fast track

Runners to compete at Texas Tech Under Armour Classic

The Texas Tech indoor track will host a high school track meet Jan. 20.

Mackenzie Grimes

The Texas Tech indoor track will host a high school track meet Jan. 20.

A select few from the girls and boys track team will compete in the Texas Tech Under Armour High School Classic meet Saturday, Jan. 20 to begin their season.

Texas Tech University recently completed a new indoor track and field and football training center named the Sports Performance Center. Head girls track coach Ray Baca will bring 10 girls to the meet to begin the track season, and head boys track coach Wesley Kirton will take 13 runners to the meet.

“It is exciting to experience the new facility,” Kirton said. “It should be a good venue. Indoor track meets make athletes feel like they are flying with the shorter track.”

Junior Maddy Brown, who will compete in the girls competition, said she hopes this meet increases her chances of competing better for the upcoming year.

“I’m running a challenging race I’ve never ran this weekend,” Brown said. “I’m hoping to use this meet as an opportunity to overcome the nerves and adversity of running a race out of my comfort zone to make me a better and stronger athlete.”

As the season opens, Brown said she is setting her goals high for herself to become a better athlete.

There’s always someone faster than you, but there’s no excuse for someone to work harder than you.

— Maddy Brown, 11

“Personally, my biggest goal is to give 100 percent effort 100 percent of the time,” Brown said. “There’s always someone faster than you, but there’s no excuse for someone to work harder than you.”

Kirton said the boys side has a goal of progression for the team.

“This season, we look for progression of the team and the individual,” Kirton said. “The goal is to get athletes to compete because they love it.”

Brown said a cohesive goal of staying positive keeps the team united.

“As a team, I think our biggest goal is to keep a positive attitude even through the tough times and workouts,” Brown said. “Always put the team before yourself.”