This season, several track and field athletes have broken records in multiple events. Seniors Bryce Norris and Jason McNicoll and junior Livia Viall broke school records for track and field at the BVW Elite meet and the SMW Invite.

Norris broke the record for boys triple jump. He went 28 feet 2.75 inches at the BVW Elite meet. He is now ranked third in all classes in Kansas.

McNicoll broke the record for boys javelin. He threw 220 feet 6 inches at the SMW Invite. He is ranked first in Kansas and second in the nation.

“It’s just a reflection of the hard work that I’ve put in for the past couple of years, and I’m just happy that I was able to finally be out there on the track,” McNicoll said.

Viall broke the record for girls high jump. She cleared 5 feet 6 inches at the BVW Elite meet. She is ranked fourth in the state.

“It took a lot of time, practice and repetition, you have to be patient and enjoy the journey,” Viall said.

These three records in particular are very difficult to break, boys javelin and girls high jump had previously been held for four years.

“Each of the records are some of the highest ranked marks in the state in each specific event,” track and field head coach Aaron Davidson said.

To break these records, the athletes have faced many challenges and injuries to get where they are today.

“In the summer I tore my hamstring,” Norris said. “I just told myself, it’s a hamstring, every athlete deals with it and I will just get stronger from it.”

Some of these athletes also feel a lot of pressure going into their meets. They hold themselves to high standards because breaking a record was a goal they had for high school.

“I had a lot of pressure, not by others, but by myself. It was a goal that I had coming into the school,” McNicoll said.

Another setback that many athletes face are mental blocks.

“I had to overcome a mental block at the 5’ 4” bar. 5′ 2″ was super easy but the moment the bar would go up to 5′ 4” I would freak myself out mentally,” Viall said. “Through lots of mental reps and training I was able to get over that mental hurdle.”

Coach Davidson has helped to push them and keep them motivated when they are training to reach their goals.

“I think all three of these athletes love to compete and love to test their limits,” Davidson said.

Viall, McNicoll and Norris have had to train a lot to reach their goals. They train not only during the season but during off-season as well.

“All three of these athletes take their preparation seriously,” Davidson said. “They all do off-season training to help them get ready for the season.”

Each of the upperclassmen student athletes have also had a lot of experience in track and field, so they also have advice they would give to someone training to break a record.

“Trust your preparation, just go out, compete and have fun,” said Viall.

“If you want something, it’s not just going to be handed to you just because you get older,” Norris said.