The track season is over, and this year’s athletes chased not just personal records but dreams of victory. For Khloe Dancy and Imory Ivy, upcoming sophomores, this season was all about stepping up. With some experience behind them, it’s their chance to grow, compete harder, and start becoming leaders on the track.

 They pushed through tough workouts, early mornings, and intense meets, all with one goal in mind: to leave a lasting impact. The dedication shown     

“I have to push myself to try and get better,” Dancy said.

In a sport where every second counts, improvement isn’t just a goal- it’s a mindset. For Dancy, a typical training week involves a lot of running, usually a 500 run. She also takes her schooling very seriously and manages her athletics and academics.

“My academics come first, so I get them done before I can do anything else,” Dancy said.

Imory Ivy also takes her academics seriously as she makes sure to get all of her work completed. 

“I’m making sure to do all of my work in class so I have time to do athletics after school,” Ivy said.

A typical training week for her usually involves doing block stories and short sprints to build speed and improve technique. Block stories are drills that focus on practicing starts from the blocks to improve time and acceleration.

“I only go to track two days a week because track season is also in the same season as softball, but usually when I go, we do block stories and run short sprints. 

Although Dancy and Ivy didn’t make it to the state competition this season, their dedication and hard work didn’t go unnoticed. Both athletes continued to train, push through challenges, and support their team throughout the season.

That same mindset is something Teneeshia Boyd, their cross-country coach, works hard to teach her runners. She emphasizes the importance of both attitude and academics. 

“If a student’s GPA drops below a 2.0, they can’t run,” Coach Boyd said. “School always comes first.”

Beyond grades, Coach Boyd pushes her athletes to stay mentally strong. 

“Attitude has to be positive,” Boyd said. “A good attitude leads to hard work, strong relationships, and a successful season.”

She also believes in building a strong team culture. She brings her runners together for team meals, summer runs, and even invites guest speakers before races. 

“We’re not just teammates- we’re a family,” Boyd said.