This past week, I went to Mentor High School to work on a story about the boys track team.
This season over 25 football players have gone out for track compared to just five last year.
The difference this year is first-year head boys track coach Bill Dennison is working with football coach Steve Trivisonno.
Trivisonno encouraged his athletes to join the team this spring. The addition of the new athletes has formed a stronger track team.
At practice, every boy stretches out together. Every boy runs a lap around the field before splitting up in their respective events.
A year ago, the Cardinals met for practice at different times depending on what their assistant coach set up.
Dennison believes having the group work out together benefits the Cardinals in numerous ways.
For one, the athletes are getting to know one another. Also, because they know one another, they seem to be cheering for one another at track meets.
"We are getting guys out to compete," Dennison said. "Our faster sprinters are our football guys. It's nice because we are helping the football guys. I'm pushing them out on runs, even though they don't like all that running. But we are looking at the cardiovascular that is good for them."
Dennison, who is also the boys and girls cross country coach at Mentor, coached the distance group on the track team last year. In the past, his distance crew has helped carry the team.
This year, the distance crew is pleased to have some help.
"Do we have all of the answers? No," Dennison said. "Was Rome built it a day? No. But I feel like we are on the right track."
Leading up to the South Invitational, the Cardinals were undefeated in big meets. At South, they placed runner-up.
"I thought it was a very winnable meet for us," Dennison said. "When I look back, we didn't get enough out of our field events. I also held some people back. But do you try to get ready for every meet or the postseason?
"We are getting ready for the postseason. I think we can do some damage there this year."

-Theresa Neuhoff Audia