Osceola senior Domonique Turner has been going full force since she was in the fifth grade. Just ask current Kowboy's assistant Willie Pauldo who remembers that practice vividly.
"It was a 400 breakdown 400, 300, 200, 150, and back up to the 400 with 4 minutes rest in between on top of hurdles drills and high jump drills."
The youngster was attending workouts at Lake Mary High School and Pauldo sensed early on there was something special about her. He noticed she wasn't intimidated given her age. Seven years later, Turner, who started her high school career at Lake Mary, committed to the University of Tennessee to run at the next level.
"The process of recruiting was very exciting, and felt very blessed to have this chance to continue my career. I visited the University of Tennessee, University of Miami,Ohio State, and the University of Alabama. UT has been watching me run since I was in 8th grade, and I just loved the coaching staff and their academic support team."
At Tennessee she will be joined by several former Sunshine State standouts in Ari Cogdell, Lenysse Dyer, and FSU transfer Kali-Davis White. Turner said she talked to Davis-White about the Vols prior to making her commitment.
"She told me how she loved it at Tennessee and how the coaching staff is on board to make sure you become the best you can be on and off the track"
Turner is a three-time state qualifier in the high jump, and 100m hurdles, and two-time qualifier in the 300m hurdles. As a sophomore and junior, she was the 4A runner-up in the 100m hurdles and was third in 2013. She says she plans to do the 100m hurdle and high jump in Knoxville.
My favorite event is the 100m hurdles. I feel more competitive when I hurdle then high jump. Fans can expect to see me take it to the next level and to PR in everything I do. My goals are to make the NCAA finals.
Before exiting for college, she will have one more chance at the elusive high school state title. With the stress of a decision off her shoulders, Turner says she wants to end her senior season with a positive outcome and no regret.
"When I'm done I want people to say that I was humble and hardworking, but could also light it up on the track."
By The Numbers:
100mH - 13.72
300mH - 43.59
High Jump - 5-8
Triple Jump - 38-4
