Despite the leaves only recently falling, conditioning for spring sports began this month. NC’s soccer, lacrosse, and track teams train throughout the week to prepare themselves.

Although the official soccer season commencing in January, the girls soccer team do their exercises on the track every Monday and Thursday. Starting at 3:45, the future team members stretch, run the track, and perform other skill-building activities until 5:00, when conditioning ends. All girls participating in conditioning must provide a physical prior to working out. “Tryouts are on Janurary 18, and that’s also when the season officially starts,” head JV soccer coach Cristobal Cortes said.

With Fall Ball coming to an end, both the boys and girls lacrosse teams appear ready to start the regular season. Both teams condition every Tuesday and Thursday, starting at 3:50 and ending at 5:00; participants also need a physical on file to condition. Ansley McCoy, a sophomore on the girls lacrosse team, said, “We’re just ready to work hard and have a fun season.” Girls lacrosse will hold tryouts January 25 to January 28. They will play a scrimmage on February 9, with the official season starting on February 2h at Pope. Boys lacrosse will host a scrimmage against Darlington on February 11, and their first game will be against Mount Paran in NC’s stadium.

Track conditioning begins November 3, with athletes working every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday starting at 3:45. Last year’s track coach, Jan Bennett, took a new job in construction, leaving coach Michael Dilliard as head track coach. When asked why their team starts conditioning so early, Dillard said, “Their bodies need to be conditioned for the season. We start conditioning so early because we want to be the best we can be when our first meet comes around.”

With spring sports approaching quickly, teams prepare for the long stretches of their seasons. They hope that weekly conditioning will keep their squads in shape and ready to play on day one.