What’s New With Indoor Track?

Mia Chajon, Journalist

December 16th, 2024

Don’t you wish to have someone who is willing to be in the trenches with you? That’s one of the main things I learned about Mr. Laconi, the new indoor track coach at PCHS. The Winter sports season is here, and I wanted to learn more about the sport of indoor track and their newest addition. 

I needed more of a background on what the sport really was so I asked the coaches, what is the indoor track? Mr. Laconi responded with, “So essentially although it is called indoor track we do much practicing outside. We try to run outside as much as possible, but meets are held indoors, so that’s kinda the big difference. During the spring and the fall seasons all the competitions are held outside while during the winter sessions, all the indoor tracks are held inside.”

The events in indoor track are similar to outdoor track as they include sprinting, long distance, and throwing. Indoor track is a co-ed team, so anyone with an interest is welcome to try it out. But, why should you join? The answer to that question is Mr. Laconi.

One of the main questions on my mind for Mr. Laconi is why he wanted to take up indoor track and become the new coach. Honestly, I thought he would respond with something along the lines of “I wanted to try something new”, which was one reason why he became the coach, but not the only one. “Really the main motivating factor for me was seeing how many of our students are involved in sports, and being able to build further relationships with them outside the classroom”. To have a coach say that he wants to build friendships with his students is what makes a difference for any student; to know that you have a coach who cares. Mr. Laconi told me how he trains with students firsthand and goes through the same work they do. “I’m not a runner, so this is a new experience for me… We are all going through the same experience. The runs are just as difficult for me as they are on them.” Mr. Laconi also encourages everyone and anyone to try out, “It’s all about dedication and making sure you come to practice”. 

I don’t know Mr. Laconi personally, but from what I’ve learned in this interview is that he is a dedicated coach determined to make indoor track a sport that everyone can participate in. Good luck to both Mr. Laconi and all runners participating in this year’s winter track season.