Five years and five consecutive conference championships for the Galena/East Dubuque/River Ridge (GEDRR) girls track team. A sixth year win is the goal in the back of their mind as the girls work throughout this season.

“We don’t go into the meets worried about if we’re going to win or lose,” said junior Sydney Schuler. “We just focus on doing our best personally and bigger rewards come with that.”

However, the conference meet is over a month away and the girls have weeks of preparation and practice before this opportunity. Starting off the 2017 season, GEDRR has two meet wins under their wings and plan on continuing a successful season. Despite the rainy and cold spring weather, the track team has been making the best out of what they’re given.

“It’s not an easy sport,” said sophomore Sophia Heisler. “There’s more work that goes into it than just running circles everyday at practice.” Track athletes focus on technique in running, jumping and throwing, as well as other things that might now seem so obvious, like handoffs.

“It’s the little things that make a difference.Every extra unneeded movement or lack of technique can mean seconds of extra time,” said Schuler. In track, even a fourth of a second can separate first and second place.

The girls are focusing on these little things everyday as they work to improve and prepare for the 2017 season that is just beginning.