Last year, Gabby Ferguson (11) didn’t begin track until March, when the actual season started. This year, she started in November, the earliest she’s ever began her training. This trend of early starts for softball, lacrosse and track reflects a change that’s been observed across high school athletics.

Early training allows athletes to get a head start in prepping for their sport season, usually by strength training and refining their technical skills. However, preseasons can also wear out players, causing injuries. Whether good or bad, pre seasons have become increasingly necessary as competition intensifies in high school sports.

Lacrosse 

Though the lacrosse team’s season begins in the spring, they started training in August, around the beginning of the school year. The team got a new coach last year, Brendan Martin, who is the father of two players on the team, Caddie (12) and Laila Martin (10). Brendan began his EL coaching career as the boys defensive coordinator, but stepped up last year to be the girls head coach. This year, he’s gotten the chance to start implementing new ideas like game strategies and plays. He also decided to make preseason earlier this year to make sure the players are as prepared as possible. 

For some athletes like Payton Veith (10), a midfielder on the girls varsity lacrosse team, this early preseason is a chance to gradually ease into the rigorous season. 

“The earlier it is, the lower the pressure. It definitely gets more intense as we get closer to the season,” Veith said. 

According to the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) regulations, the team can only practice with sticks when there are four or less girls from August till the season starts. So, they practice in small groups or do passing drills led by the captains. 

“I think preseason definitely helps. Even if it’s not making you better, just staying in shape [is helpful] so you can start out the season with at least something,” Veith said. 

The team has also been lifting regularly, and playing speed lacrosse after school on Fridays at the Middle School. 

“I love that preseason started so early, it definitely made me feel more prepared and more excited for the season,” Veith said. 

Softball

This year’s softball preseason started in November, three months earlier than last year. The coaches started earlier in hopes of seeing better game results during this spring season. Caroline Chumbley (11) has been preparing for the season by playing in her travel softball league and participating in the school’s preseason. 

“We usually do a lot of batting, and then a little bit of fielding,” Chumbley said.

In addition, softball preseason consists of conditioning practice. Samantha Leonard, the varsity softball coach, finds that training these technical skills early on allows athletes to be ready to perform during the actual season. 

“Starting preseason sooner helps the athletes get back in the routine of hitting and throwing and gives the coaches more time to correct bad habits before the season starts,” Leonard said. 

Chumbley hopes that if the team puts in enough hard work, they will be able to see the dedication pay off as they enter the main spring season. 

“I think we could do better this season if we keep working but it would take little more than just Sunday [practices],” said Chumbley.

Track

Even though the season doesn’t start until March, training for the track season began long before the first meet. Ferguson, who does shot put, hurdles and discus views preseason as an opportunity to ensure she meets her goals. 

“I guess it depends on what your goal is. My goal personally is to beat a certain person on our team in throwing,” Ferguson said. “I really have to train a lot to do that, so getting an early start will help me out more.”

However, this early preseason can be difficult for others, as it can overwork athletes and lead to burnout and injury. For track athlete Jemimah Tukurah (11), her sophomore season was cut short due to shin splints, which she got from overworking her foot muscles during the prolonged season. 

“Last year, I started preseason in early November, and by the time the actual season rolled around, I was injured, and I couldn’t run for the rest of the season,” Tukurah said. 

Now recovered from her injury, Tukurah is back training and is feeling optimistic about being able to run again this spring season, wishing to make regionals in long jump.

According to track coach Charles Pollard, there are still many advantages to an early preseason even with the risk of injury.

“The advantage to starting early is you get a longer time to get your body in shape,” Pollard said. “For the veterans it helps them focus on their goals and the newcomers learn the all important routines necessary for successful performance.”

While preseason can be extremely demanding, it can ultimately be very rewarding for student athletes.

“It’s really tough, but it’s gonna be worth it in the long run,” Ferguson said. “That’s the only thing keeping me going.”