The boys indoor track season is underway as the Atoms hit the ground running last weekend at  Episcopal High School for their first meet of the season.

The team faced stiff competition at the meet, going up against Chantilly, Mount Vernon and West Potomac High Schools.

The team started off the season well as they emerged as the winners of the meet.

“I was very pleased with everyone’s effort,” Distance Head Coach Dave Ciccarelli said.

Many returning runners also made new personal records and new runners performed well for their first ever track meet.

“We had a bunch of PRs and quality times especially given the crowded and confused nature of some of the events,” Ciccarelli said.

The boys won a total of eight events including the 55-meter dash and the 3200-meters events such as the 3200 -Meter individual run and the 3200-meter relay.

“The meet went as well as possible with Annandale ending up winning the meet,” senior Mahiteme Tigabu after the meet.

Despite the team’s overall success at the meet, some runners were not impressed with their individual performances.  

“I was not happy with my performance at the meet but we still have a long time until it really begins to count”, said Tigabu.

The team still has a long road ahead this season with a total of eight meets lined up throughout the next two months before the Patriot Conference Championship meet on Feb. 1.

The team will continue to work on all aspects to improve for the conference meet and to increase  chances of qualifying for the 6A North Regional Championship.

“The practices are tough because they are in the winter-like conditions, but it’s necessary to show up everyday and give it all that you have if really want to improve,” sophomore Zuhair Rahman said.

Despite the weather and difficult conditions during practices, runners are willing to work through them and really reach their full potential.

“Practices are hard but it’s worth it to reach your full potential and I make sure I go to all the practices because I know it will make me better in the end,” sophomore Kyle Dalsimer said.

The team will be looking to continue their success next Friday during their next meet on the Feb. 16 at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. The boys will be going up against competitive opponents Wakefield, Yorktown, and Mount Vernon High Schools at the meet.

Following this meet just one day later, the team will be competing at the PR Holiday Invitational against many conference rivals.