Photo by Macy Lipkin ’23

Physically distanced and masked, Maddie Morocco ’23 (center, in pink mask) and a group of sprinters and jumpers leapt their way through a dynamic warm-up session before practice on the turf at Wellesley’s Butler Stadium on a warm fall afternoon, a few weeks after the launch of the academic year. Without any competition on the immediate horizon, the cross country and track & field team’s primary training goal this fall has been to establish good habits and reinforce proper technique so they are prepared for future competition. Phil Jennings, head coach and assistant professor of the practice says, “Though we aren’t competing, the ability to practice together allows for a refreshing normalcy to a campus environment that is anything but, regardless of the challenges that physical distancing and precautions like mask-wearing bring to training. We have only had a handful of practice sessions [so far], but I can already see the positive camaraderie emerging from the young group of first-years and sophomores as they come together around their shared passion for track and field.”