Having only one track and field meet under their belts, Great Bend High School headed to Wichita on Thursday to take part in the two-day Shocker Pre State Challenge 2013 at Cessna Stadium on the Wichita State University campus.
“Any meet would be good right now,” Panthers head coach Bo Black said late Thursday morning at his Memorial Stadium office. “We’ve been at it for a month and a half (practicing), and we’ve only had one track meet.
“Everybody is in the same boat, but it will be good, no matter where it is. The biggest thing you need is a few track meets and some good weather. We just haven’t had any consistency with the weather to get some things done.”
GBHS took a partial group of athletes to Wichita on Thursday. They will be joined by another group on Friday.
“The key is getting out on the track and running,” Black said. “Getting in shape, and I don’t think our kids are in shape yet. When it’s real cold, you’re scared about kids getting injured and pulling muscles.
“We have a lot of kids out and they all have positive attitudes. In the end, everybody’s on a level playing field. It will be fun to get a meet in and see where we’re at.”
The Panthers’ only home meet of the season was postponed on Tuesday because of inclement weather. It has been rescheduled for this coming Tuesday, as Great Bend’s varsity and junior varsity teams will be competing at Memorial Stadium, starting at 3:30 with the field events.