With the stretch run of the season approaching — including the JCAA Conference meet, districts, sectionals and state — Windsor High School track and field athletes are sharpening their focus and preparing for their biggest competitions of the year.

The girls team has won several meets this season while also placing near the top in others, highlighting the group’s consistency and competitiveness.

As the season progresses, several student-athletes are showing determination, resilience and a strong mindset in both competition and training.

For junior Shealea Mancuso, the biggest obstacle this season has been getting back in shape after stepping away from basketball.

“My biggest challenge is not being in shape from not doing basketball this year and trying to get back into shape,” Mancuso said.

Despite that, motivation has not been hard to find. With support from friends and coach Dueker, Mancuso continues to push forward. Looking ahead, she has a clear goal.

“My goal is to place at state with Natalie Krause since it’s her senior year,” she said.

Jayden Grindell has also focused on improving his performance in throwing events. His best throw currently stands at an impressive 34.5 meters. When it comes to consistency, Grindell emphasizes staying mentally focused.

“Don’t overthink my throw and just focus on myself, not other people’s throws,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of technique, noting that keeping his body back is the most important part of his form.

Senior distance runner Tim Holt takes a slightly different approach during races.

“I usually think about what I’m going to eat after and how it will fuel my body,” he said.

Running with teammates helps him stay engaged, as conversations make long-distance runs more manageable. When fatigue sets in, Holt relies on discipline and training.

“I stay strong and keep moving when I think about all the work I put in every day,” he said.

Senior Natalie Krause approaches her races with a competitive mindset from the start.

“Initially, my mind goes to automatically needing to hawk down the people in front of me,” she said.

She finds the middle portion of her race to be the most challenging, as it requires balancing pace while still aiming for the win. In addition to sprinting, Krause has achieved a triple jump personal record of 10.2 meters.

Each of these athletes demonstrates the importance of mental strength, discipline and teamwork. As the season continues, their focus and determination could lead to strong finishes — and possibly even a trip to state competition.

“We all push each other to be better every day,” Krause said.