Columbus East High School

As the 2026 season gets underway, the Columbus East boys track and field team enters the spring with energy, experience, and a clear goal in mind. Head coach Jerone Wood says the early outlook for the Olympians has been positive, both in terms of team culture and commitment. “The vibes are high,” Wood said. “We have a good group of young men that come and work hard every day. Our mindset is simple — make it to state.” East returns solid numbers this season, with athletes spread throughout the various event groups. Wood believes that balance could help the Olympians compete consistently in meets throughout the year. “We have pretty good numbers for the season,” Wood said. “We have returning guys that scored points for us in each event.” Leadership is another strength for the Olympians. A group of returning juniors and seniors who have spent several years in the program will help guide the team through the long season. “We have a good group of returning juniors and seniors that have been in the program for years,” Wood said. “Some of our top point scorers from last season returned.” While East hopes to be competitive in every area, Wood believes the team’s overall depth could end up being one of its biggest strengths. “I think we will surprise people with our overall team performances,” he said. “We have athletes that can compete at a high level in almost every event.” Preparation during the offseason has focused heavily on strength and recovery to ensure the team is physically ready for the demands of the season. “We have spent a lot of time in the weight room and made recovery a top priority,” Wood said. “We wanted to make sure our bodies were prepared in every way possible. A big emphasis has been practicing hard every day and being intentional.” Versatility will also play a key role in the Olympians’ success. Several athletes are expected to compete in multiple events, giving East flexibility in how it builds lineups from meet to meet. “A successful track team has athletes that are capable of competing in different events,” Wood said. “We have several guys that will compete in multiple events for us this season.” As the season progresses toward the championship portion of the schedule, the goals for the Olympians are straightforward. “Success for us is competing for conference and sectional titles,” Wood said. “Most importantly, qualifying for the state track meet would be our top goal.” With strong numbers, experienced leadership, and a team-wide commitment to improvement, the Olympians will look to build momentum throughout the spring as they chase those goals. Upcoming Schedule: Track & Field (Boys V) Red Devil Last Chance HSR Qualifier (Away) Invitational Sat, Mar. 21 2026 10:00 AM EDT @ University of Indianapolis Track & Field (Boys V) Bloomington South High School (Away) Sat, Apr. 4 2026 10:30 AM EDT @ Bloomington South High School Track & Field (Boys V) Seymour High School (A) Tue, Apr. 7 2026 5:00 PM EDT @ Seymour High School Track & Field (Boys V) Columbus North Invite (A) Sat, Apr. 11 2026 10:00 AM EDT @ Columbus North