Indoor track

Winter Track (Indoor) is a great opportunity for athletes to stay competitive, build skills and showcase their talents on an indoor track. As part of the Bay State Conference and MA Division 1,  the team competes at the Reggie Center in Boston.  The team delivers outstanding performances season after season often qualifying for multiple relay teams at the New Balance Nationals event in Boston.

Winter Track Events

Indoor track and field offers a diverse range of events, catering to athletes with various specialties and interests. Here’s a rundown of the exciting events you can look forward to during the winter track season:

 

SPRINTS

  • 55 Meters: A high-intensity race that tests explosive speed and reaction time.
  • 200 Meters: A short, fast race around half the indoor track, combining speed with endurance.
  • 300 Meters: A challenging middle-distance sprint that requires both speed and strategic pacing.
 
HURDLES
  • 55 Meters Hurdles: A sprint race over hurdles, demanding quick reflexes and precise technique.
 

DISTANCE

  • 600 Meters: A rare distance that bridges the gap between sprints and middle-distance events.
  • 800 Meters: A middle-distance race that requires a strategic blend of speed and endurance.
  • 1000 Meters: This event further stretches the limits of endurance and pacing strategy.
  • 1 Mile: A classic distance race that combines endurance with tactical racing.
  • 2 Miles: For those with exceptional stamina, this event is a true test of long-distance running capability.

RELAYS

  • 4×200 Meters: A team event where each runner covers 200 meters before passing the baton with high speed and seamless handoffs.
  • 4×400 Meters: Another team relay that spans 400 meters per runner, requiring both speed and team coordination.

FIELD EVENTS

  • High Jump: Athletes leap over a bar set at increasing heights, showcasing their vertical jump ability and technique.
  • Long Jump: Competitors aim for the longest jump from a takeoff board, combining speed and explosive power.
  • Shot Put: A test of strength and technique, where athletes propel a heavy metal ball as far as possible.
 

Whether you’re a sprinter, a hurdler, a distance runner, or a field events specialist, indoor track and field offers an event that aligns with your strengths and interests. Each event brings its own set of challenges and excitement, making winter track a thrilling sport to watch and participate in.

The meet schedule and practice information is subject to change.  Click here to find out where to get the most up to date information.

DETAILS

Here’s the practice information:
  • Practice Schedule: Practice is held Mondays through Fridays, rain or shine, from 2:45 pm to 5:15 pm.
  • Location: Athletes should be prepared to run at either the indoor track or outdoor track, weather permitting
  • Attendance: All runners are expected to attend every practice.
  • Excused Absences: Acceptable reasons include illness, doctor appointments, and family commitments. Notify coaches via email as soon as possible about any upcoming absences.
  • Unexcused Absences: Absences without prior communication with the coach are considered unexcused. One unexcused absence results in a one-week suspension from competition. More than one unexcused absence may lead to removal from the team.

equipment

For practice, make sure you bring the following:
  1. Water Bottle: Hydrate before arriving and keep your water bottle handy during practice.
  2. Running Shoes: Wear appropriate running shoes to ensure comfort and prevent injuries.
  3. Track Spikes: Bring track spikes appropriate for athletes events to use when appropriate.
  4. Weather-Appropriate Clothing: Dress according to the weather conditions to stay comfortable throughout the session.
 

Always be prepared to maximize your performance and safety.

 

All runners should hydrate properly with water prior to arriving at practice and meets.

 

vacation & Early Release days

If athletes are in Natick and don’t have previous commitments, they are expected to be at practice during the holiday breaks including December and February break. 

More information about practice dates will be available as we get closer to the holiday and as information about qualifications for state and national races are determined. 

If your athlete has a family commitment or other acceptable reason for not being at practice, they should inform their event coach prior to the holiday.

Bay State Conference meet information

Typically, there are 5-6 Varsity League meets, which are on Thursdays at the Reggie Lewis Center and Boston University Indoor Track. The first meet is typically held in mid December. 

There are also invitational meets on Saturdays for those athletes who qualify. Coaches will discuss these meets with athletes. The full schedule is on the MSTCA website.

If you are being picked-up by a parent from a weekday Reggie Lewis meet, the parent must send an e-mail to (matthewmiller@natickps.org) stating the intention to pick-up the athlete from the meet.  The e-mail should be sent no later than the morning of a Thursday meet or the Friday before a weekend meet.  Athletes may ride with another parent, but an email giving permission should be sent to the athletic director, tcollins@natickps.org.

League meets are mandatory for all athletes to compete in (exception is illness or injury) for consideration for JV and Varsity rosters.

  • Competitions during the week are with other Bay State Conference schools.
  • Home meets take place at Elm Bank.
  • The bus for all meets leaves from the back of the high school at 2:40 pm.
  • JV Races start at 4:00.
    • This could be a combined boys and girls depending on the number of athletes.
  • Girls varsity races start at approximately 4:30pm
  • Boys varsity race starts at approximately 5:00. 
 

It is strongly encouraged for the purpose of team-building and supporting other athletes, that runners stay at the entire meet and ride the bus back to the high school. However, athletes may ride home with a parent/guardian – please tell coach when leaving.

 

To ride home with another athlete’s parent, an email must be sent to the athletic director (tcollins@natickps.org) giving permission.

For invitational meets, not all Natick athletes will compete. Athletes will be notified if they qualify. Runners participating in meets later in the season, based on performance and season-long effort, will continue to practice until their last competition.

General scoring information