Lisbon coaches, runners excited about getting a track

LISBON - The Lisbon track and field program has had a tremendous amount of success the past few years, but its has had to earn it without a track.

This is all about to change.

The Lisbon Community School District has passed a bond that will bring new facilities to improve the school. One of the main focuses in the bond is the new track.

'I think a track will help us be able to fine tune the small stuff,” boys' coach Casey Baxa said. 'A track will only bring success if we have young men and women willing to put the time and work in to succeed like the teams that have graduated, and I know we have that here in Lisbon.”

The boys are not the only ones who have had a lot of success with track. The girls' team has had a number of runners compete at the state meet the past few years, as well.

That success, however, has not come easy.

'It's difficult to practice handoffs in grass, and hurdles are a nightmare,” girls' coach Keri Speidel said. 'The injuries to shins and muscles have been higher because of the pounding on the concrete and hallways. The girls do their best, though, and push through all of the obstacles that not having a track throws at us.”

The coaches and runners are very thankful for all of these people who worked behind the scenes to get this bond passed.

'I would like to add that a bunch of people had a hand in getting us this facility and I can't list all of those people, but you know who you are and I thank you.” Baxa said. 'It will be a dream come true to have a practice on the new track.

'Thank you to the people of Lisbon. The kids in the future will benefit from all of these new facilities and that's what it's all about - the kids.”