Spring sports Q&A: Players’ takes on getting ready for the upcoming season

With all spring sports tryouts beginning on Mar. 2, here’s a look at some of the players’ preparation and hopes for the upcoming season.

Jacob Rigby: Sophomore/Track

Q: How long have you been running track and what is your background in the sport?

“I started track [at East] my freshman year of high school, but when I was little I used to run for a league, but I didn’t do cross country at Indian Hills so I’m kind of new to [the sport]”

Q: What was the season like for you last year and how do you hope it will differ this year?

“Last year it was really fun. A lot of people do [track] so you always have friends in it. It’s pretty chill and you can kind of just work at your own pace. This year I’m guessing there’s more people and will definitely still [have that kind of atmosphere]”

Q: How have you prepared and what are your goals for the upcoming season?

“I’ve kind of been preparing on my own. I don’t do winter conditioning but I walk around my neighborhood. [I hope to] do more races. Last year, I only did like 400 and 800s so I’m trying to do more long distance ones like a mile so that would be good”

Anna Heide: Junior/Lacrosse

Q: How long have you been playing lacrosse and what is your background in the sport?

“I’ve been playing since third grade. I’ve kind of played on teams all over the place just because there’s different club teams in the area”

Q: What was the season like for you last year and how do you hope it will differ this year?

“Last year we did really well, we were in the lower division and ended up winning. So then we went and played in the upper division and ended up getting second place which was insane because we beat all these teams that were supposed to be seeded ahead of us. We’re having a new coaching staff this year so I’m nervous but excited to see how that turns out”

Q: How have you prepared and what are your goals for the upcoming season?

“It’s been cold outside so I haven’t really prepared, but I have been playing some wall ball outside with my sister just getting ready for the season. We’re going to be in a top division again since we placed so highly in the end season tournament last year, so I’m really hoping that we don’t do poorly. We lost a lot of good seniors but we’re also gaining a ton of really good freshmen so it’ll be interesting to see if we’re a cohesive team”

Charlie Cronenwett: Sophomore/Tennis

Q: How long have you been playing tennis and what is your background in the sport?

“I started tennis in March last year so it hasn’t been very long. Last season was my first time playing tennis ever except maybe picking up a racket once or twice before”

Q: What was the season like for you last year and how do you hope it will differ this year?

“I was on C team and I thought it was pretty fun but I wasn’t very good. I hope that I’ll be better at hitting [this year] and have improved”

Q: How have you prepared and what are your goals for the upcoming season?

“Every week I’ve been doing a clinic [at Overland Park Racquet Club] and a lesson. I’ve been doing it probably since August or September. I hope to make JV [this season]”