Fluvanna students know when the warm weather isn’t so warm anymore and a chill runs over the school that it’s time for winter sports. Other teams put on their shorts and t-shirts so they can practice inside, but not the indoor track runners. They have to put on layers upon layers to stay warm in the cold since they still practice outside most days unless it’s raining or freezing.

It’s a commitment which has served the team well, despite being smaller than usual. “With a smaller team it gives everyone the opportunity to run what they are good at and not have to switch people in and out, so everyone runs,” said Sophomore Ashlee Pieno.

The team began practicing on Nov. 7 in preparation for their first meet at Heritage High School on Dec. 3 where the girls placed 5th overall and the boys placed 9th. Senior Cyan Coates placed 3rd in the 500 meter dash, Junior Saige Haney won the 1600 meter, and Senior Jackie Rodriguez placed 2nd in the 3200 meter. In addition, the girls’ 4×800 relay team placed 4th, while Freshman Amina Wilson placed 6th in pole vault, and Senior Renee Custer placed 4th in shot put.

As for the boys, Junior Jack Rice placed 3rd in the 1600 meter, Senior Jakob Graff placed 5th in pole vault, Senior Jake Morris placed 4th in shot put, and the 4×800 relay team came in 1st.

The beginning of the season was also rough for the team due to weather, with three meets cancelled and one postponed, including the Hokie Holiday Festival at Virginia Tech. “I was disappointed we missed so many meets because we missed chances to qualify and improve,” said thrower Nicole Haseltine.

The Flucos’ second meet was a mini meet at FUMA where Haney and Rodriguez qualified for conference in the 3200 meter. Coates qualified for Conference in the 55 meter, 300 meter, and triple jump, while Custer qualified in shot put. Regional qualifiers included the girls’ 4×800 team and Senior LaMaya Lacy in high jump. Lacy also qualified for States in the 55 meter, while Senior Matasha Martin qualified for States in the 55 meter dash and 55 meter hurdles.

On Jan. 21, the Flucos headed to Heritage High School for Districts where the girls placed 3rd and the boys 4th. Athletes achieving All-District honors included the following: Matasha Martin (55 meter dash and hurdles); LaMaya Lacy (high jump and 55 meter hurdles; Cyan Coates (500 meter dash and triple jump); Saige Haney (1600 meter and 1000 meter); Amina Wilson (pole vault); and Renee Custer (shot put).

Boys that received All-District honors included Jason Boyle in the 3200 meter, John Bossong in the 1000 meter, Prophet Harris in high jump, long jump, and triple jump, Griffin Klauder in 55 meter hurdles, Jake Morris in shot put and Zack Hartzog in shot put.

Then a few key athletes attended the premiere Virginia Tech Invitational on Jan. 29-30 where only the top athletes race. The athletes who attended were Haney, Lacey, and Martin. Martin placed 14th overall in the 55m hurdles.

At the district meet which was held at Heritage on Feb. 4, the girls placed 2nd out of 8 teams and the boys placed 6th out of 8. Girls that received All Conference honors were Renee Custer, Kieri Hart, Brianna Parker, Shae Jonkman, Ashlee Pieno, Amina Wilson, Jackie Rodriguez, Lamaya Lacy, Saige Haney, Cyan Coates,and Matasha Martin. The oustanding boys were Griffin Klauder, Colby Martin, Jake Morris, Zach Hartzog, and Prophett Harris.

As the season winds down, both teams are reading for their Regionals on Feb.17 at Liberty University, followed by the State meet for top qualifyers on Feb. 24 and 25 at Roanoke College.

While the team’s dedication has never wavered, one can’t say the same for the outside temperatures, which have uncharacteristically soared into the 60’s and even 70’s in February. It’s a fact which these hard-working athletes, who defy rain or even snow, can truly appreciate.