I have been a member of the track team throughout my middle school years and now in high school. My teammates and I are deeply upset about our possible inability to practice and use our own track. This is due to the recently announced fact that the track and field will be ripped up to start a new project possibly during our season. This issue is not only affecting our performance but also diminishing our love for this sport. We are not against the turf and improvement of the athletic fields itself, but just hoping for a push back or delay so we can have a great season!!

Coal City, IL, has always been known for its strong community spirit, particularly when it comes to supporting local sports teams. Our track team has been an integral part of this community fabric, contributing significantly to local events and competitions.

However, recently we've found ourselves unable to practice or use the track due to restrictions that have not been clearly communicated or justified. This has severely impacted our ability to train effectively, leading us into a competitive disadvantage in regional meets.

According to data from The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), regular training is critical for athletes' performance improvement - with a decrease in training time correlating directly with decreased performance levels (NFHS 2019).

We believe that every student-athlete should be given equal opportunities for success - which includes access to adequate training facilities like our school's track field. We urge those responsible at Coal City High School administration or any other relevant authorities involved, please reconsider these restrictions immediately.

Please sign this petition if you agree that we deserve fair access to train on our own school's track field. Let us continue making Coal City proud!