Every year one talented athlete wins the Kansas Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year award out of 12 other female athletes, and this year, Jacque Darby, senior, won the award for her sprints in track.

Darby won the award with the highest number of votes 1,168 votes, which is 33.61, the highest percentage of votes.

Last year at the 6A State Track and Field Championships, Darby achieved a personal record in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.09, winning first place in the finals. Along with the 100-meter dash, she also ran the 200- meter dash and finished in first place with a time of 25.03, another personal record.

On being nominated and winning, she said, “It felt really good to be recognized for all my hard work that I’ve put into track and running.”

Darby is planning on running in college, and her goals this upcoming season are to get personal records in all her events and maybe run the 400- meter dash.

Matt Bohm, track coach, said, “ It’s really exciting to be a coach to Jackie. She always works hard and is a very talented athlete.”

Grace Williams, junior, is also on the track team and trains with Darby. Their workouts consist of weight lifting and running. Williams said, “Training with a close friend is really good because you push and encourage each other.”

The track and field season this year begins on Monday, Feb. 29.