Lara named Southland Athlete of the Week
4/12/2017 5:10:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
FRISCO – Sam Houston State's Baylee Lara has been named Southland Conference Women's Track and Field Athlete of the Week following a breakthrough performance over the weekend in Nacogdoches, the league office announced Wednesday.
Lara captured first place in the heptathlon at the Skechers Performance Carl Kight Invitational, besting five Southland competitors along the way.
The freshman from the Woodlands, Texas (Oak Ridge High School), posted 4,915 points, ranking eighth among freshmen nationally, leading the Southland and places her 48th in the country.
Lara took first in the 200 meters (24.74) and the 100-meter hurdles (13.92) while posting top-three finishes in four of the seven events.
QUOTEABLES:
Baylee Lara on the accolade and winning the heptathlon…
“All week during practice, I tried to not think about it too much. I was just working to do my best. Last year, I did a hep going into my senior year of high school and I scored 43. When I scored close to 5,000, it caught me off guard a little bit. My coach Cutter has a lot to do with it. He goes with an open mind. The training alone is definitely hard, so when it makes it fun, it makes it easier. I hope this is just the beginning. I am honored to be the athlete of the week.”
Assistant coach Cutter Bernard on the award…
“It's very well deserved. She works hard all fall and spring. I am excited. I think this is just one of many for her. The bring enthusiasm to practice and she works hard. With that mentality and work ethic, success if bound to come to for you.”
