Junior Autumn Parson an Indoor and Outdoor Track Star
by Aly Riggs
Junior Autumn Parson has started off her track career with hard work that is definitely paying off.
Parson has known that she has wanted to run track since fourth grade and finally got the opportunity three years ago. She became a part of the Walkersville High School indoor and outdoor track team as a freshman.
Parson played softball for two years when she was younger, but quit due to softball practice conflicting with track practice.
Parson has received many awards due to her impeccable ability to put time and effort into her team. During freshman and sophomore year, Autumn recieved honorable mention for indoor and outdoor track. Sophomore year she also received the Most Valued Player award for outdoor track and the Coaches’ indoor award.
She also broke the school record for the Girls 300 meter dash. “I felt relaxed but I was also aware that I was running in a challenging heat so I focused on getting a good start, when I was running around the track I could hear my dad and coaches yelling so I didn’t break form. The backstretch was where I felt most comfortable and I used that to help me keep my speed when coming through homestretch,” said Parson.
She also runs club track and she said, “It does get difficult to cope with school and track; it’s not that hard in the winter but during outdoor it’s really hard to come home and focus on homework because I have club practice after regular practice and feel tired. I practice everyday throughout the week and on Sunday’s with my club coach, I also train throughout the summer with my club team.”
“In the off season I take time to relax and give my muscles a break. It’s my time to rehab before stepping into the year again,” said Parson.
Parson is a part of a team and so she has teammates to work with. Junior Valerie Coleman said, “She pushes me to try my best and to PR [personal record] by yelling for me at meets and encouraging me because we are on relays together some times so we are like a team.”
Parson has been on the track team with her brother Jacob Parson throughout high school. Senior Jacob Parson said “It helps us push one another; we are very competitive though we’ve never actually raced. In the offseason we work together to get ready for the season.”
Breaking the school record and already having the amount of awards as she does, Parson will continue to push forward and work her hardest throughout the years.
