It can be a challenge to keep a group of high school track athletes focused on constantly getting better when all they do for weeks is run laps. For Calon DeVaul, head girls’ track coach of the Lone Tree Lions, he has found a way to make Friday practices more fun while also getting his team’s competitive juices flowing.

DeVaul has dubbed Friday practices as Race Day, an afternoon where the Lions compete against each other in mock sprint competitions. “The top two people in the heat move up the ladder, the bottom two people move down.” DeVaul said, “It’s just an inter-team we have that the girls’ really like. They strive to be in the top heat and trying to be the top sprinter; even the distance runners are working on speed.”

DeVaul has identified junior Paige Doehrmann as his top sprinter this spring. Doehrmann qualified for the state meet in the 400 meter dash and the 4×100 meter relay team the past two seasons. DeVaul also pointed out the efforts of senior Natie Attig, sophomore Elena Sieverding, and sophomore Madison Forbes as girls showing well during Race days.

The Lone Tree Lions’ girls track team will compete against outside competition tomorrow evening when they compete in the Belle Plaine Relays at Belle Plaine High School.