By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Ava Lane is well aware her days of flying below the radar are probably over and done with.
The Strafford freshman might be new to the track scene this season, yet she’s already made a lasting impression.
On Saturday, Lane won the 100 (12.49), 200 (25.56) and 400 (58.55) meter events – a stunning achievement for any class, let alone a first-year frosh.
Despite having a big target on her back heading into next week’s sectional competition, Lane sees little difference in her mental focus and preparation.
PHOTOS: TRACK EVENTS – CLICK HERE
“I think it doesn’t change anything I’ve been working a lot on, just like finding joy in the pressure and finding peace in competing, because it’s such a gift to get to compete against people,” Lane said. “So I think that even if the girl next moves faster by a second or two, I just have faith in myself that I can keep going and that there’s so much good coming from competing.”
Of the three events, Lane believes the 400 presents the biggest challenge both mentally and physically, simply due to its makeup.
“Most definitely the 400,” Lane said. “I think just because it is so hard and that I know that I can push myself outside of my comfort zone and get better. The 200 is just a speed thing, but the 400 is just how much gut you have in it. And so I have to push myself outside of my comfort zone every single time to continue to get better.”
With recovery at a premium, Lane is working with trainers to take advantage of various techniques designed to aid relaxation and muscle recovery.
“We’ve been training really hard for a while now, so I’m working a lot with, like, my physical therapist, and a lot with cold plunges and hot plunges, and just saunas and everything to get me ready. Because right now I’m just trying to recover because we’ve had such a tough season.”
“I think my goal is to get under 57, which I think I can do if I have somebody out in front of me pushing me, because I know that if I have somebody that is right next to me, I can push myself even farther and outside my comfort zone,” Lane said. “So I think if I can get anything under 57 or about there, I’m good.”
