Trying to take advantage of the Leonard Cole Field track while they can, Bobcat boys’ track has been outdoor early and often this week ahead of Friday’s season-opening invite at Waukee Northwest.

Time is running out on the track and football/soccer field’s availability before renovations begin, and head coach Bob Gilbertson said so far the team has been able to get some preparation in. With over 60 competitors going out for track and field at the moment, Gilbertson said he is thankful for the experienced returners the team has and the ability those veterans have to lead and guide newcomers.

“It’s huge, it’s almost like having another assistant coach to help out there helping out,” Gilbertson said. “Especially just looking at doing some handoff drills recently, I made sure to split up the veterans so that there was a decent number of veterans in both groups. When one group would do handoffs, the other group would go to do blocks. They were there to help point things out and show them how to do things by example.

“It’s been really helpful.”

Starting with the short-distance runners, seniors Jayzek Lee and Carter Hunt are two of the returners who are leading a group with a lot of underclassmen and first-time competitors at the varsity level. Lee was part of a state-qualifying event in 2021 and has been a mainstay in the sprint relays for the Bobcats, while Hunt has experience at the varsity level in swimming, football and track. Treshaun Brooks, a varsity basketball and football player, competed in some sprints last year as well as the high jump.

Gilbertson credited the group’s ability to adjust and willingness to try new events when needed.

“They’re very willing to try different things to be successful,” Gilbertson said.

He said the high and long jumpers haven’t been able to get out and get work in much to this point in the preseason, but he added that the extra day from their opening meet getting pushed to Friday could be helpful. Malachi Holmes — a two-time state qualifier in the long jump — is a senior.

The middle distance group is led by Anthoneih Kopsa, who was the senior leader on the Bobcat boys’ cross country team in the fall season. Gilbertson said the group is larger than it was last season and it’s been nice to have some depth.

“It’s much larger than we had last year, we just have a lot more kids out,” Gilbertson said. “It’s nice being able to send 15 guys, maybe 20 guys out on a run out there.

“Kopsa’s been doing a really great job of running that group. Does a lot of things by example.”

When it comes to the discus and shot put, Gilbertson said two seniors — Kunian Kuany and David Santacruz — have been good leaders along a pretty inexperienced group of throwers and guiding them through the preseason. He said the throwers were “way ahead” of the jumps so far.

Friday at 5 p.m. is the start of the Waukee Northwest Early Bird after it was pushed back a day from Thursday.

Marshalltown, Waukee, Des Moines Lincoln, Des Moines Hoover and host Waukee Northwest are among the schools scheduled to compete.