The Jupiter High track team competed in their first meet on Feb. 17.

Apart from having fun, Larry Jones, first year track coach, encourages his team to always keep working.

“Our goals are always to do our best and our ultimate goal is to get our athletes to the state championship,” Jones said.

Not only does Jones want his team to do their best on the track, he also motivates them to put the same effort into their education. 

“We try to teach the kids to never stop learning on the track, in the classroom and in life,” Jones said.

Jacklyn Biondo, sophomore, believes team chemistry is very important in track and field. 

“Our team collaborates a lot on and off the field because of team bonding activities like dinners, tie dying and parties,” Biondo said. “This helps with events like relays and field events.”

Malachi Thomas, sophomore, enjoys the sensation of running short distance races.

“It’s very nerve racking but I also have a thrill to run,” Thomas said. “I want to get it over with and I also want to do good at the same time.”

Many on the team feel Dwyer is their biggest competition this year.

“I’d say that Dwyer is our biggest competitor because we always end up with similar scores,” Biondo said. “It’s also kind of a cross town rivalry thing.”

The coaches are developing their players for future meets as well as in life. 

“Coach [Jones] has helped me develop tremendously as a person and a player,” William Owens, junior, said. “He is someone who actually believes in me and wants what’s best for me and the team.”

With the right time put into their training, the team believes they will  have a successful season.

“As we are right now, we will do okay. I think if we all really put the work in, we might be able to go to regionals or nationals,” Thomas said.