As the spring season begins at Groves High School, the track and field team is starting up again, bringing together a wide range of athletes with different goals and experiences. While track is often seen as an individual sport focused on times and placements, for many students it becomes more about the people and the process of improving over time.
Hadi Berro, a member of the Groves track team, described how his involvement started in a simple way.
“I was a freshman and a lot of my friends were doing it, so I decided to try it too,” Berro said.
Like many students, joining wasn’t necessarily about long-term goals at first, but more about being part of something and seeing where it would go.
Now, Berro competes in the 110 hurdles and the 300 hurdles, events that require both speed and consistency. In these races, runners must sprint while clearing a series of evenly spaced barriers, meaning even a small mistake can slow them down or throw off their rhythm.
“I like them because they’re challenging and keep me moving,” he said.
His response reflects how these events aren’t just about running fast, but about staying focused the entire time, maintaining form, and pushing through each hurdle without breaking stride.
For Berro, one of the biggest parts of track isn’t even the competition itself, but the environment around it. While meets and races are important, much of the experience comes from daily practices, team interactions, and shared goals.
“I like it because I get to interact with my friends,” he said. “It’s fun being around people and pushing yourself at the same time.”
Even in a sport where athletes compete individually, that team atmosphere still plays a big role in keeping people motivated.
At the same time, track comes with challenges that aren’t always visible from the outside. While the physical workouts can be demanding, Berro pointed out that the mental side can be even harder.
“The workouts aren’t too bad, but mentally pushing through everything can be tough,” he said.
Staying consistent throughout the season and continuing to push yourself is something a lot of athletes have to deal with. Looking ahead, Berro said his goals for the season are focused on both enjoyment and improvement.
“Honestly, I just want to have fun, do well at meets, and push myself to new limits,” he said.
His perspective shows how, for many athletes, success isn’t just about winning, but about getting better and staying committed. While athletes like Berro focus on personal growth and experience, the team as a whole is also going through a period of change. Head Coach Jason Wilson explained that this year’s team looks different compared to last season, especially after graduating a strong group of seniors.
“We are a lot younger, so there are more opportunities for different athletes to step up,” Wilson said.
With many ninth, tenth and eleventh-grade athletes filling key spots, the team is still figuring out who will take on bigger roles. Because of that, one of the biggest challenges this season is not just performance, but leadership.
“The biggest challenge is seeing who steps up,” Wilson said.
As younger athletes gain more experience, the coaching staff is looking to see who takes advantage of those opportunities and grows into leadership positions. At the same time, the team’s goals have stayed the same.
“We want to qualify as many athletes as we can for the state championship,” Wilson said.
Instead of focusing on dual meet records, the emphasis is on long-term success and helping athletes improve throughout the season.
As the season continues, the Groves track team reflects more than just competition. For many students, it becomes a space where they can improve, stay connected with others and push themselves in ways that go beyond just the sport.
