This year Rio’s track team is ready to hurdle their way into a league title this season. With a strong team made of returning runners from last years team and with the addition of several newcomers this year, the team has high hopes for their upcoming meets.

“Compared to last season, this season is much more intense” said junior Kayla Bradford. “I am very confident in the team’s ability to win this year.”

So far this season, the team has competed against high schools such as Cordova, Whitney, Bella Vista, Rocklin, and El Camino. During the meets, the teams compete in a variety of events including the 100, 200, 300, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200 meter relays, shot put, long jump, high jump, and triple jump.

Junior Kadyn Silva jokes because he does a wide variety of events, including the sprints, jumps, and throws.

“I like to call myself a decathlete,” he said.

So far the team has competed in six meets and have 15 meets left of the season.

In order to place well at the meets, which are usually held at least once a week, the team is practicing harder and harder with practice everyday of the week for about two hours.

With the teams biggest competitors in the sprints and relays being Whitney and El Camino, the runners including sophomore Mark Baker have been working hard creating strategies to win the race.

“My strategy to win a race is don’t go too hard, run smart, and go strong until the end “ said Baker.

This is his first year running track at Rio, but he was one of Arden Middle School’s best runners in middle school.

In addition to the weekly meets, the team also has to prepare for their section finals, which begins in a little over a month on May 15th and for the state meets starting May 31st.

The team is determined to place well in both and continue their winning record against rivals El Camino and Whitney.

If they continue on this track, the team is sure to continue their success and take a league title this season.