While the spring season has yet to begin, track and field captains’ practices are well underway. At 3:30 p.m. every day a gaggle of track athletes from the boys and the girls’ teams gather on historic Lang field for bonding and a light workout.

Newcomer to the team Maeve Duncan joined because of the close team relationships. “I joined because a lot of my friends did … and captains’ [practices] help you get to know the team,” Duncan said.

As the season has not started yet, practice is not led by their coach but instead by captains Nora Shaughnessy, Bridget Keel and Oliver Thompson.

Injury prevention especially is noted as track athletes often experience shin splints, stress fractures or muscle strain. “If you start your good habits early you are less likely to be injured due to poor form,” Keel said.

After a quick two laps around the track, the team followed Shaughnessy and Thompsons’ lead going through shin-strengthening exercises such as toe and heel walking and quad pulls.

After their warm-up, the team voted on playing a game of Capture the Flag. Other games include Ships Across the Ocean or Blob Tag. Paloma Gomez Whitney always looks forward to practices as they involve games like these and are, “chill and less pressure [than a regular season practice],” she said.

Looking forward, track will begin official practices Mar. 11 with their first meet Apr 4. at the University of Minnesota Field House against Blake, Breck, Minnehaha, Mounds Park Academy and Providence Academy.