The 0utdoor phase of track and field season is finally here in a chilly April. The Minooka girls team seems extremely prepared and is ready for any obstacle to come. 

“These girls have been putting in a tremendous amount of work to prepare,” said head coach Kevin Gummerson, “I like the environment that is present right now.  The kids are excited to work hard and get ready to compete.” 

The Minooka girls track team went 13-1 overall last year, during a Covid season where all of their meets were outside. They also placed third in SPC and third in Sectionals last year. 

There are many returning athletes this year to have a promising season. 

One of the returning athletes is senior Jocelyn Host, who last year ran 11:40 in the 3200-meter run at state and placed 16th.

“I really love the 2 mile,” Host said. “Ella McCollom and I are in the 2 mile for the indoor SPC conference. We are normally paired together and I like running with her a lot. We work together pretty nicely,” said Host. 

Host also mentioned how this year is a different feeling from last year. 

“I feel like this year doesn’t have as much pressure on me just because it’s a senior year,” said Host. “Junior year was basically all the stressors because your worrying about getting recruited, worrying about how I’m going to set myself up for next season, where I’ve kind of done heavy lifting and I’m just now enjoying my season and having the stress off my shoulders is helping and easing my nerves for races and it makes it easier for me to compete.” 

Another returning athlete, senior Kendal Franklin, has felt the same way, too. 

“This is actually a full season and our other only full season was freshman year,” said Franklin. “It’s exciting to finally have it back to normal.”

Senior Gabby Kics agrees.

“Last year we didn’t even start training together again since after spring break, and so it’s nice to be with people again and train longer for the season” said Kics. 

Both Kics and Franklin had a promising season last year.  At state, Franklin finished 1.55m (5-1) in high jump, and Kics and her teammates pulled 9:36 on the 4X800-meter relay to finish 8th at state. 

After winning the indoor SPC meet this season, the girls have their first outdoor home meet on April 12 against Plainfield North and Romeoville.