In our second year here at CCMHS, three Track & Field athletes have made this season very memorable in advancing to States! Congratulations to the following students for qualifying: Trae Diaz (Grade 9) for qualifying in Shotput, Ashleigh Lacey (Grade 10) qualifying for Long-Jump and 300 Meter Hurdles, and Miranda White (Grade 9) for qualifying in Triple Jump. These three girls have put in astounding effort this season, and this is evident through their success. State competition is preceded by two levels; first Districts, then Regionals, and if they do well enough in competing against students across our county and other surrounding areas, they move onto states. This means they are the best of the best! These three girls worked very hard this season, and we are so excited to give them a big Coyote Howl-out! Let’s get to know these impressive athletes!

Trae Diaz, Grade 9:

Q: What event are you advancing to states in?

A: “I am advancing in Shotput”

Q: What is your PR in this event?

A: “My PR is 10.18 Meters”

Q: Is Shotput your favorite event to participate in, and if not what is?

A: “Yes, Shotput is my favorite Track & Field event”

Q: How long have you been doing Track & Field? How long have you been doing Shotput?

A: “I’ve been doing Track & Field since my 7th-grade year, so two seasons before this one”

Q: Do you have a specific technique or tip for Shotput?

A: “Not really”

Q: Do you have any advice for someone who wants to try Shotput?

A: “Don’t ever underestimate yourself, because I know sometimes, I do”

Q: What is your goal for states?

A: “My goal is to make it in the top 8”

Q: What’s your favorite memory from track this season?

A: “My favorite memory from this season was during one of the meets where all my teammates PR’d with me and we were all happy”

Trae is not only an impressive Track & Field member but is also extremely athletic in other activities. She has participated in an incredible total of 6 sports this year, as well as being a member of the Freshman Powder Puff team.

Miranda White, Grade 9

Q: What event are you advancing to states in?

A: “The event that I qualified for states in is Triple Jump”

Q: What is your PR in Triple Jump?

A: “My PR for this event is 10.80 meters, which is also the school record (I hold the school record)”

Q: Is Triple Jump your favorite event to participate in, and if not what is?

A: “I don’t have a favorite event. I like all the ones I do which are Triple Jump, 100 Meter hurdles, 300 Meter hurdles, and 4×100 relay.”

Q: How long have you been doing Track & Field? How long have you been doing Triple Jump?

A: “I have been doing track for 2 years now, but I just started this event [Triple Jump] this year”

Q: Do you have a specific technique or tip/advice for Triple Jump?

A: “A good technique to have for this event is to know how long your strides are”

Q: What is your goal for states?

A: “My goal for states is to at least place in the top 8 so I can stand on the podium”

Q: What’s your favorite memory from track this season?

A: ”My favorite memory from this season was when I made it to districts and had everyone around me congratulating me, it was a really great time”

Miranda has high ambitions for her athletic career, as she wants to go to the University of Florida for Track & Field. Good luck Miranda!

Ashleigh Lacey, Grade 10

Q: What event(s) are you advancing to states in?:

A: “I’m going to states for Long-Jump and 300 hurdles”

Q: What is your PR in this event(s)?

A: “My Long-Jump PR is 5.11 Meters, and for Hurdles, it’s 49.63 seconds”

Q: Are these your favorite events to participate in, and if not what are?

A: “These two are my favorite events, but I probably love Hurdles more because of the thrill of the race”

Q: How long have you been doing Track & Field? How long have you been doing these events?

A: “I have been doing Track since last year (Freshman year). I just recently started competing in Long-Jump, (so this season), and I have been doing 300 Hurdles since last spring”

Q: Do you have a specific technique or tip for this event(s)?

A: “Well my technique for Hurdles is to kinda just run as fast as I can and hope for the best! I also eat a Snickers right before the race as good luck fuel, so maybe that helps. For Long-Jump there is a particular technique you do where you have your chest out and eyes up while raising your first knee high. You then bring forward your other leg and make a pike-like form in the air so you don’t kill the landing”

Q: Do you have any advice for someone who wants to try these events?

A: “The most important advice I have, no matter how cheesy, would be to never give up. There have been times where I think I’m not improving and get frustrated, but if I gave up the hurdles this year then I would never be going to states. And also to practice. It may sound obvious but the more you do it, the more naturally it’ll come out during the stress of the meet”

Q: What is your goal for states?

A: ”For states I hope to jump 5.3 Meters in Long-Jump, and get a PR of 47 seconds in the Hurdles since it’s really my endurance holding me back”

Q: What’s your favorite memory from track this season?

A: ”My favorite memory this track season would probably have to be during Districts when I did really bad in the prelims of the 300 Hurdles, barely made it to finals, and then ended up getting 1st and a PR in the finals! Especially with the encouragement of my teammates, it was a really good experience”

Ashleigh is as impressive in the classroom as she is on the track, as she takes 3 AP classes in addition to Honors classes. She also splits the rest of her free time by working a part-time job. She is extremely successful in all her endeavors!

All three athletes should be beyond proud of themselves for making it to states, regardless of what the outcomes will be. It is an honor to share a campus with these girls! Good luck guys, and congratulations!