There’s no rest for the Wichita State track team.

Last Friday, the WSU Track and Field team had one of their preseason conditioning practices from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

It was the first morning practice of the season. However, the team has been conditioning since late August.

Due to NCAA regulations, they are limited to eight hours of practice a week until mid-October, when they will be allowed to practice 20 hours a week.

“What we are doing right now is general conditioning,” assistant coach Pat Wilson said. “We have a long season.”

Wilson said that practices are intended to help prevent injuries and get the athletes to basic level of conditioning before their more specialized training later in the season.

Wilson said overuse injuries are common. “We try to make sure the body is balanced and strong and able to handle what we dish out.”

High jumper Macy Ebert transferred from Johnson County Community College this semester. She said that the WSU practices are more intense and more about the team than at JCCC.

“[Practices] are way more about the team. The team shows up on time. We support each other. It’s not just coming on your own,” Ebert said.

As in many sports, the early morning practices can be a challenge.

“When you first wake up, you are like, ‘Oh my gosh why do we have morning practice?’

“But now you’re alive, you’re ready for your day. It’s not 114 degrees outside. I like it,” Ebert said.

For conditioning, the team does cardio, flexibility and strengthening exercises. This type of training is constant until mid-October.

The WSU track and field season begins Dec. 6 with the intra-squad meet, hosted at the Heskett Center.

“We are all working for one common goal,” Ebert said. “If you are tired, you know everyone else is tired. It pushes you.”