Kayla Parker, a senior at Pt. St. Joe High School, has had an absolutley stunning high school career. Her sophomore year she went four for four at the state meet, scoring 40 points solo. Last year she nearly did it again winning the out of her four events and scoring 38 points. Add that together with her 100m gold as a freshman and she has a whopping 8 state championships with her senior season yet to go.
She is also part of what has become a strong track & field tradition at Pt. St. Joe. Her freshman year they were third at state, followed by a team championship in 2008, and last year they were just edged out for the title by 2.5 points (despite a big team score of 70.5).
With her final season with the Tiger Sharks fast approaching, we talked with Ms. Parker about this track & field season.
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- Jason Byrne, flrunners.com
Wow! It seems like you've been around forever, Kayla! You've had such an amazing high school track career. How are you hoping to close it out this year?
- Kayla Parker
This year I'm hoping to finish very strongly. I'm looking to set new personal records and win a team State Championship. I know that I will be able to accomplish this with the help of my coaches and teammates. They have all been so helpful in my growing process as an athlete.
- JB
I understand you do basketball in the winter. What is your favorite sport?
- KP
My favorite sport is track and field. I play basketball to stay in shape and keep myself busy until track season. Most the girls that run track also play basketball; so it's like an extra bonding experience.
- JB
Is it hard to not have a break and that off-season to focus more on track-specific training?
- KP
I have been doing multiple sports for so long that not being able to train for track and field year round has not affected me, but only improved my work ethic. For years before high school I played softball and ran track at the same time. I think it is all about balancing out my schedule.
- JB
Port St. Joe looks to have a very strong girls squad coming back this year, after narrowly losing the 1A title to PK Yonge last spring. Are you all feeling confident that you can avenge and get the gold this year?
- KP
We are very confident that we can come back this year and take home the crown. We have been working very hard since that track meet in order to improve.
- JB
Have you narrowed down your college choices at all yet?
- KP
Yes, I have narrowed my college choice down. I plan to sign with the University of Kentucky. I chose UK over schools such as University of South Carolina, University of Florida, and University of Miami. I felt they offered everything I wanted in a college as far as academics and athletics are concerned. I have built such a great relationship with Coach Thomas.
