With the addition of four new coaches, the Palo Alto High School track and field team has started its new season on a high note with a successful meet against Los Altos High School. where the varsity boys came out victorious, but the girls varsity team fell short.

This year, the team was joined by new head coach Michael Davidson, middle and long distance coaches Michael Granville and Wendy Saul and hurdles coach Vick Hudson. Davidson replaced previous head coach, Kelsey Feeley, who left the team after the 2016 season.

With the new coaches, many athletes have seen a shift in the focus of their practices.

“Many of our coaches from last year have been replaced with new coaches, so our method of training has changed,” said junior hurdler Karen Li. “This year, the focus has been shifted to speed.”

As with the previous years, athletes look forward to each meet for a chance to compete and to bond with their teammates. For their upcoming meet against Los Gatos High School on April 13, athletes look to hone their technique to increase their speed and continue the team’s successes.

“I personally hope to work more on hurdling technique and form, as we did not have the chance to hurdle very much in the month leading up to the first meet,” Li said.

The coaching has made the team confident about the season.

“The team is functioning much more smoothly than it has in the past, and within just the first few meets of the season many of us have already made huge improvements on our previous season times, which definitely speaks to their coaching,” said junior and varsity sprinter Maya Reuven. “On top of that, they are all incredibly supportive, and make track a fun place to be.”