We look to improve in both times and distances at every track meet. Our goal is always to peak right at state in March and be prepared for outdoor track.”

Coach Russell Stienmetz

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The Torrington High School indoor track team commences the 2025 season at the Natrona County Invitational on January 18 in Casper.

TORRINGTON – A group of hardy and determined Goshen County athletes rang in the new year with the first day of practice for the indoor track season on Monday, January 6.

Torrington High School sponsors the indoor track team, though the program is open to youth from across the county, including Lingle-Fort Laramie and Southeast high schools.

“It’s great when all the schools in the district get to come together and compete for a common goal,” coach Russell Stienmetz said. “Indoor track is a good way for athletes to be more prepared when the outdoor track season begins.”

Stienmetz is entering his second year at the helm of the indoor track program and hopes to build on the successes from the previous season. The Torrington girls’ team finished the 2024 state championships in Gillette as the 3A runner-up. The Lady Blazers clinched second place out of 16 schools at state in 2024 with 74 team points. 

Nine letter-winners from the 2024 girls’ squad are returning to the track, jumping pits and throwing rings in 2025 and will be joined by a group of new additions to the team.

“On the girls’ team, we have quite a few participants and depth in events like jumping, sprinting and hurdles,” Stienmetz added. “With that depth, we are looking to be able to put together some high-quality relay teams.”

The varsity girls’ squad will rely on its veteran juniors and seniors to set the pace throughout the season.

“Our girls’ team is looking to be a leader in the district,” Stienmetz said. “These girls compete on the same teams in indoor and outdoor track. I look forward to the older girls really stepping into leadership roles, leading by example and becoming great role models.”

Only a handful of boys are currently out for indoor track and the roster does not include any returning athletes to date. The coaching staff are stepping up recruitment efforts at each high school in the district to build numbers on the boys’ squad, Stienmetz added.

“We hope to get some more athletes out on the boys’ team and finish toward the top (at state),” Stienmetz said.

Overall, the indoor track team’s primary objective is progress each week.

“We look to improve in both times and distances at every track meet,” Stienmetz remarked. “Our goal is always to peak right at state in March and be prepared for outdoor track.”

Gillette hosts the indoor track state championships from March 7-8. This year marks the second season teams will be divided into 3A and 4A divisions at state with Torrington competing in 3A.

The 2025 schedule features two regular meets in Gillette, providing athletes the opportunity to “get used to the competition surface and venue” at the Campbell County Recreation Center in preparation for the state-culminating event, Stienmetz said.

The season opens with the Natrona County Invitational on Saturday, January 18.

“We’re focused right now on getting in shape for the first meet and building from there,” Stienmetz added. 

Joining the indoor track team is still an option for athletes in Torrington, Lingle-Fort Laramie and Southeast Goshen County. The sport is a great opportunity to stay in shape for spring and summer sports and a way to stay active during the long, gray winter months.