With a change in coaching staff, the girls track team hopes to compete well this season.

As of late January, the team is being coached by social studies teacher Tim Phillips in place of their previous coach, Dave Johnson, who left on medical leave.

Leading up to the indoor conference meet on March 19, the girls reflected back on their indoor season.

“I’ve beaten my times from last year around this time and I’ve PR’d [personal record] in the two mile so my races have definitely improved since last year,” senior Hannah Olson said.

Olson broke her two mile record by over 30 seconds at 12.12. The distance crew broke seven lifetime achievement awards in just two weeks.

One of the sprinters, senior Mia Picchi is working on beating her records from last year and taking the place of some of the graduated runners of years past.

“Everyone’s trying to beat their PR’s from last year’s outdoor season,” Picchi said.

The state meet for the outdoor season won’t take place until May 19-20, making the track season one of the longest running sports at EG.

Assistant coach/distance coach Rachel Barry commented on how she’d like to see her runners perform in the coming months.

“One of our goals would be to break the school record in the 4×800,” Barry said. “Emily Stegmeier we’d like to see break 5 minutes in the 1600 and Hannah Olson we’d like to see 12 minutes in the 3200.”

An important aspect of the sport to the team is their camaraderie and opportunity for bonding experiences. The girls have themed days over the season where they’ll dress up and play genre specific music.

“They’re overall one of the most encouraging groups I’ve ever worked with,” Barry said.