The pre-season track workouts have officially begun at Erie High School and with them, a new focus on preparation and technique. For the athletes gearing up for the upcoming track season, the next few weeks will be critical in building a strong foundation for the season that lies ahead.

While pre-season is often seen as the time to build endurance and strength, this year, there’s a new emphasis on technical development—particularly in the sprinting program. Coach Underwood, who recently joined the team as the new sprint coach, is bringing a fresh perspective to the training proportion. Coach Cullpepper, the head coach who has been in the coaching program for 14 years, is excited about the addition of Coach Underwood to the team. Cullpepper, who specializes in distance and middle-distance events, has always prioritized a focus on effort and preparation during pre-season.

“I’ve been coaching for 14 years, and this doesn’t include the years I coached myself as a professional,” explains Cullpepper. “During pre-season, I’m focused on effort. It’s easy to push too hard in training and risk burnout, but it’s crucial to manage effort in a way that develops different energy systems. This is a time to focus on the overall preparation and lay the groundwork for the season.”

While Cullpepper’s main point remains on endurance and pacing for the distance runners, Coach Underwood’s focus is on technical refinement for the sprinters. As a high tech coach, he is known for his attention to detail in sprinting form, conditioning, and power. His goal during pre-season is not just to increase speed, but to develop efficient, powerful runners.

“My plans for Erie are to win a championship. Boys and girls, I wanna win a 5A state championship. I think we can do that if we have got enough depth and the kind of team to do it, I would like to just see us compete week in week out.”

“I’m really excited to have Coach Underwood on board,” Cullpepper said. “Sprinting is as much about proper conditioning as it is about technique, form, power, and execution. Coach Underwood is excellent in all those areas. He’s not only able to teach athletes the technical skills they need, but he knows how to connect with them and bring out their best. His approach is going to make a huge difference for us this season.”

For the sprinters, pre-season workouts will focus on drills designed to improve form and sprinting mechanics, ensuring athletes use their power efficiently and reduce the risk of injury. Underwood stressed that he wants to focus on making sure every time the athletes go out there even just to practice they are competing in order to always show their best. The sprinters spent the early part of the practice working on specific drills to refine their technique. Underwood emphasized the importance of developing muscle memory for proper form, something that will pay off later when they transition into more intense sprint workouts later in the season.

For both distance and sprint athletes, pre-season is an essential part of the track season. It sets the tone for the work to come, ensuring that athletes build the necessary fitness, strength, and technique to succeed once races begin. With the addition of Coach Underwood and his expertise in sprinting mechanics, the coaching staff at Erie high school is optimistic that the team will see significant improvements in their overall performance.

Both Cullpepper and Underwood are committed to making sure the athletes understand the importance of each workout during pre-season and how it contributes to the bigger picture. As the pre-season progresses, athletes will continue to build on the foundation laid in these early workouts, with the aim of peaking when the season officially begins. For now, the focus remains on the process—the effort, the technique, and the preparation that will drive success throughout the season.

Pre-season may not offer the immediate rewards of competition or time trials, but it is a critical period where athletes lay the groundwork for the months ahead. With the combined expertise of Coach Cullpepper and Coach Underwood, this year’s track team is setting itself up for a successful season.