THE ECHO

by Ella Staton

Peytan Denagall sat with her upperclassman teammates at their pre-state dinner, shaking with nerves. The pressure of being one of the only freshmen competing at this meet was putting a new type of pressure on the young athlete’s shoulders. 

Denagall, now a sophomore, is preparing for her second high school track season. In Denagall’s freshman season she broke records left and right, impressing her coaches and teammates daily. Her coach Domoni Springer recalls her first impression of Denagall at a middle school track meet at Avon Middle School South. 

“I watched her compete as a middle schooler. She got excited when she won, so I knew that when she got here, she would be a great contributor to the team,” Springer said.  

Denagall knew that running would be her future. She has been running track for three years and she has never played any other sports. In just her first year she quickly ascended to the top levels of competition. 

“She now has the second fastest 400-meter time as a freshman. She also made it to the State meet last year, where she did have a personal best of 5’5” in the high jump. She won regionals, and she was second in the sectional meet. She also won conference,” Springer said. “She was our most valuable for the season.” 

Despite the victories piling up, her hard work was unmatched by any of her competitors. Although her track season starts in the spring, Denagall said that she trains year-round.  

“Over the summer, I ran every morning, at least three miles. I also went to the gym in the afternoons,” Denagall said. 

In addition to putting work in outside of school and scheduled training, Denagall has been improving her strength and speed in APC, Advanced Physical Conditioning or Strength and Speed.  Her coach explains all the growth she has seen from Denagall already.  

“She is now in Strength and Speed, and I feel like she is gaining a lot more confidence. She is jumping through the roof, and she is running fast. I think she will have a great season,” Springer stated.  

APC has been a beneficial class for Denagall, she can see it in herself. She is setting new goals with the confidence and strength she has gained.  

“This season I’m going to have a new PR for high jump, and I feel like I’m going to make it State for the 400,” Denagall said. “I feel a lot stronger than last year.” 

Denagall enjoys the camaraderie of her team, but she appreciates getting to celebrate her own victories.  

“She understands her role as a contributor, but she also likes having that individual success,” Springer said. 

Although Denagall’s said that her events come easily to her, she clarifies that each of her achievements are a result of her own dedication and hard work. Denagall explains the first time she ever tried to high jump. 

“I was in middle school, and I fell over the bar, but then I kept trying, and I eventually got the hang of it and good at it. I am so glad I never gave up,” said Denagall.