It may be freezing outside, but that gives track athletes the chance to warm up! At Berkley High School there are many clubs, it is for students to express themselves and be involved with the community. One of these clubs and programs that students may not know about is indoor track. After school, throughout the winter, BHS students have the opportunity to prepare themselves for the track season in the spring. Not many schools give students this opportunity. The offseason is super important for athletes, especially ones that need to stay in the best shape possible.
Popularity of Indoor track:
Even though indoor track is a new feature to the Berkley community, it’s very popular and competitive worldwide. There are big competitions like New Balance Nationals Indoor or Nike Indoor Nationals, where high school students across the country compete against the best. In the state of Michigan, the sport is growing, with many schools participating in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) and various club leagues. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), and as of 2025 Sept 4th. “Indoor track and field, which complements the outdoor season, also experienced steady growth. Participation rose to 89,019 boys and 71,358 girls. Together, these numbers reflect a continued momentum in track and field as one of the most accessible and diverse sports in high school athletics”. Track is generally a great opportunity for kids to showcase their skills. There are so many different events to choose from that involve sprints to long distance.
Differences in Indoor Track and Outdoor:
A typical indoor track is very different from an outdoor track. A standard indoor track is 200 meters long, with tighter turns and sometimes banked curves, compared to a 400-meter outdoor track. Also, it features modified events, such as the 60-meter sprint and hurdles, along with longer distances, like the 3,000-meter run. Indoor track usually has four to six lanes while outdoor has eight to 10.
I was able to sit down with sophomore Josh Hilliard, to ask him about indoor track. Hilliard ran track during the spring season and had a very successful freshman year, running a 2:02 800 meter time. Which is a personal best and on pace to beat the school record. He also ran cross country this year for the first time, and was awarded rookie of the year. He ended up running a 17 minute and eight seconds 5k time. Hilliard was able to break down what a typical indoor practice looks like stating that “It’s usually three to six miles outside in the cold. We’re all waiting for that new indoor facility to be built across the school. Our coach also tries to get us in the weight room twice a week. We mostly work on legs, but we do some upper body”. Since Hilliard is really prepping himself, he is looking forward to a few events. “The main event I’m looking forward to is the 800 meter, and two meets in particular that I’m excited for is one in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Which is qualifier only and I qualified. The other is New Balance Nationals where I hope just to take something good out of the experience”. Hilliard has a few goals set for when the regular season comes around. “I want to accomplish a lot, one of them is breaking the Berkley record for the 800 meter.” The current BHS record is held by Paul Vance running a 1:53 800 meter time. Hilliard also mentions “I want to get my name out there and honestly just to have a great indoor and outdoor season”. Hilliard is a great athlete and with all the work he is putting in I’m sure it will pay off.
It’s special that at Berkley High School, we give students the opportunity to work on their track and field skills during the off-season. It gives students new opportunities and a chance to separate themselves from others. The new feature brings excitement to all the athletes that participate in track, so now athletes at the high school level are always ready to compete.
