What's on the minds of central Ohio high school track and field athletes as they compete?
As the track and field season continues in central Ohio, programs are gearing up for what they hope are successful postseason runs.
That means athletes are sharpening not only their physical skills, but fine-tuning the crucial mental approach to the sport. Mental focus is especially important for those who compete in both running and field events or run distance races.
What do track and field athletes focus on and think about during an event? Here are the answers we received from five boys and five girls competitors:
Alex Boyd, Olentangy, pole vault
“Don’t die. I’m just thinking I have to lower the pole on two and I’m counting out my steps out loud so there’s nothing in my mind while I’m jumping. There’s a little fear now just because I’m so high and something could always happen, but I know I have the ability to do things right and not get hurt, so I don’t really have fear every time I jump.”
Bas Fahrer, Lancaster, pole vault
“I just try not to really think too much. If you think too much about the bar and keep looking at it, it’s going to seem higher than it really is and that usually leads to knocking it over or running through. I’ve never really been scared of heights. When you (use) bigger poles, it’s harder to get up and there’s a fear to go back on the runway and landing, but there’s not too much fear.”
Kylie Feeney, Dublin Coffman, 400/800 meters
“This early in the season it’s just get out there and run. What is good for that day, whether that’s a time or a placement. It’s a little more planned when you’re by yourself because you have to know how to pace yourself at the beginning. If there’s more people in the race, it’s more just about seeing who’s there and putting yourself where you need to be.”
Gianna Lane, Hilliard Darby, sprints/long jump
“I do this for my team no matter what. I have a groin issue right now, I’m hurting, but my team is what is most important to me. I don’t want to let them down. Long jump is starting to become one of my main events. I'm pretty athletic. I have to hit the board and see where my momentum takes me, and I’ll end up (jumping) far.”
Thomas McMahon, Upper Arlington, distance
“The 3,200 is my better event, so we’re building that right now. I just think about competing. I really don’t focus on time that much. Time will come as long as you compete with guys at that level. I try to stay in front, stick with the leaders and see what you can do at the end.”
Turner Schmidt, Hilliard Davidson, shot put/discus
“I like to try to get one in and then I try to let it rip. I’m thinking about a (personal record) every week. I really try to push it, get my hips open (in the shot put) and let it rip.”
Syna Sony, Dublin Jerome, high jump/long jump
“I prefer the high jump. It’s a moment where there’s nothing putting you down. You’re just waiting for that one millisecond. It’s so euphoric. I love it. Mentality is so important because if you think that you’re not going to clear it, you’re not going to. You always have to visualize making it and tell yourself again and again and again, 'I’m going to clear it,' and that is what is going to get you over that bar.”
Mirabelle Thornton, Worthington Kilbourne, pole vault
“I try not to think about it too much. I just try to think about pushing through it because if you let down during any part of it then you don’t do it. My plant is usually the best part about my jump, so I think about my plant when I’m running down the runway. As long as I hit my plant, it’s usually good. I usually don’t think about too much in the air.”
David Thress, Hilliard Bradley, long jump/sprints/hurdles
“It’s not my favorite event, but I like the long jump. My main thing is to try my hardest and have fun and do my best. I have to make sure my legs (land) where I want them to be. I love the atmosphere.”
Andrea Tubbs, Thomas Worthington, discus/shot put
“I’m usually thinking about everything I did wrong in a previous throw or at practice. I just try to make sure I have all the steps in my head of how I need to throw. I run through that before I do it. Shot put is my favorite and it’s what I’m better at.”
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What do Columbus high school track athletes think about during meets?
