Rose Lehner is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Pinnacle High School for AZPreps365.com.

The essentials for every track practice: Track suits, spikes, batons, and now masks.

This is the new norm for Pinnacle’s track and field team as they gear up for the 2021 season. This season is different than the rest as the AIA requires masks and social distancing at practices during preseason, but masks won’t be required for meets.

“During drills I had to separate athletes when they are waiting their turn to jump or throw while also making sure they are wearing their masks. In years past, they would all just be in one large group,” Andrew Hurley said.

 Hurley is multi-talented. He balances his coaching between the head coach for the girls track and field team, jumps, shot put, and discus events.

Hurley is putting all his ducks in a row to prepare his team for its first track meet against Boulder Creek on March 24.

“Our goal this year is having our athletes compete at their highest potential,” Hurley said.

The pandemic robbed Pinnacle’s track and field team a chance of a full season last year. As tracks runners are polishing their spikes for 2021 season, Hurley remains hopeful to have complete season.

“I am looking forward to watching our athletes grow and compete while getting a full season this year,” Hurley said.

The mask mandate for preseason was a culture shock for Hurley and Pinnacle’s track athletes.

“We still had our normal preseason in January and February, but it looked a little different. The athletes were required to wear masks and maintain social distancing which is something I’ve never experienced within my eight years coaching track at Pinnacle,” Hurley said.

Aside from the pandemic, Hurley wants to redirect his team’s focus on the season to be like the rest.

“We are trying to make this as normal of a season for our athletes especially for those who had their season cut short last year,” Hurley said.

“We are preparing for this season as if we would any other season. Our mindset is that it’s track season and we need to get our team ready.”