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Writer's pictureMiles Page: Feature Desk Lead

Michael Neff Gets Head Coach Position for Watauga Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field



Roman Sibaja, a junior, runs for Watauga High Indoor Track. This picture was taken at the JDL Fast Track


Cross Country and Track & Field are two well-known sports at Watauga. With their long-running success and welcoming attitude, both teams are great experiences. Many people don’t realize, though, that there’s a bridge between the fall-sport Cross Country and the spring-set Track & Field: Indoor Track. As one of the lesser-known winter sports, Indoor Track provides a unique training regimen and a nice segue into the outdoor season.


“Indoor Track is a sport that tests the resolve of each runner. Although the training is similar to outdoor track, the conditions in which the athletes train and meet are very different,” said junior Roman Sibaja. “It’s like an outdoor track, but dark and cold. It sounds unappealing, but these conditions help you bond with your teammates. Since it’s a smaller sport, you’re able to get to know everyone. It’s my favorite running sport because of these bonds made through tough training.”


During the pandemic, Indoor Track was thrown into question, as it was canceled during the 2020 Winter Season. Recently, Indoor Track has had a resurgence, as more runners are using it as a bridge between fall and spring sports.


“I encourage anyone thinking about joining to go ahead and look into it. It’s a great way to maintain fitness over the winter season and set yourself up for spring sports,” Gwendolyn Anderson, a senior runner on the team, said.


Coach Michael Neff is the Watauga Middle School XC coach and assists with field sports at the High School. He recently received the Head Coach position for both the Indoor and Outdoor Track seasons.


“Coach Neff being the new track coach will be fun because of his upbeat and welcoming attitude,” said first-year runner and freshman Calvin Zwetsloot.


Indoor Track is gaining more and more traction as people find out about it. It’s a great way to maintain fitness over the winter season, and with some strong direction from Coach Neff, it can be assumed that Indoor Track will become a much more well-known sport.


“I am really excited for the opportunity to work with both of these teams and I am looking forward to great seasons, fast times and big marks,” said Neff.


The Indoor Track season officially starts October 31st, with Coach Neff at the helm.


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