Six runners create an artificial breeze as they glide around a turn on the Solon high school track, accompanied by the blur of neon cleats and the squishing of rubber soles. Orange cones sit off to the side of the track, stacked on top of each other. Purple, green, and yellow exercise bands hang from a chain link fence. The sand pit is littered with indents and impacts from shot put throws.

It may be the first outdoor practice of the season for the Solon girls track and field team, but they’re already hard at work. Track, like many sports in Solon, is built on tradition. Tradition creates expectations. Expectations create pressure.

And nobody on the team knows that better than senior sprinter Piper Stahle.

The Stahle family has been a staple of Solon track and field for years. Sophia won the 400 meter hurdles in 2023. Aly earned her title in the 100 meter state championship in 2024. Between individual events and relays, the Stahles have been a part of 11 school records.

And Piper, now in her senior year, is the last Stahle left in Solon.

“It’s pretty big shoes to fill, because they’re all pretty good,” she said.

Last year was Aly’s final season with the program. She and Piper ran as a part of Solon’s 4×200 and 1600 sprint medley teams at state, placing 11th and 16th respectively.

With a goal of ending on a high note, Piper Stahle intensified her offseason preparation. She started training in early November as soon as the cross country season ended. Running daily, working with a nutritionist to eat healthier. The things she didn’t do as an underclassman.

Back in her freshman year, Piper was one of four Stahles on the team. This year, she’s the senior, without any older siblings to learn from. Instead, she passes on her knowledge to the next crop of Spartan stars. Equal parts focused on her own goals and the future of the program.

“They’re so mentally tough and it’s honestly just inspiring. They’re gonna be so good,” she said of the Spartan underclassmen.

One of those rising stars is junior Piper Johnson.

Like Stahle, track and field is a family affair for Johnson. She followed her grandfather and cousins and began throwing in seventh grade.

“I like the technicality around it. The form that you have to go through, and how it’s a very delicate type of event,” she said.

Solon sent two throwers to state last year: then-senior Kate Shafer, and Johnson. Shafer earned Solon’s best finish in any event, placing fourth in discus, while Johnson finished 17th.

“We stayed in that hotel room together, and she braided my hair and did all that stuff. She’s kind of like an older sister,” Johnson said.

With Shafer graduating over the summer, Johnson is now the premier thrower for Solon. She spent the offseason in the weight room, growing stronger with barbells and medicine balls and practicing throwing drills.

Jerzey Haluska’s offseason looked a bit different. As a varsity basketball player, she had to split her time between the court and the track.

Haluska started 22 of 23 games for the girls basketball team as one of their leading rebounders. She’s been in full time track mode for less than two weeks, as the girls’ season ended at the hands of Central DeWitt on February 24th.

“It’s definitely not easy going from one sport to another,” she said. Having the work ethic to be able to work on both sports during the year is really important.”

Last season at state, Haluska realized her own high expectations to place 11th in the 400 meter with a 58.93. She left with a new perspective after feeling that she reached her peak.

“I learned that there’s so much more I can achieve. Those seconds can be trimmed down very easily,” she said.

Head coach Jessica Hotek was once in the shoes of the girls she now coaches, running sprints for Solon from 2010 to 2013. This year, she’s determined to do the little things right to help her athletes meet their expectations. The stuff that goes unseen: mindfulness, yoga, and nutrition, are core tenants of her philosophy.

“Last year, we had to be flexible a lot because we had injuries popping up all the time,” she said.

If the Spartans can stay healthy this season, the goal is to improve on last year’s 29th place finish at state.

Solon begins their season today at the 2026 IATC Indoor Championship at ISU’s Lied Recreation Athletic Center.