Reporter staff
Lauryn “Lolo” Ford is blazing her own trail in track and field.
The Northwood Middle School seventh-grader is believed to be the first girl in the Kent School District to win every event that she entered during the recently-completed spring season, according to her coaches.
Ford is ranked No. 1 in the nation middle school rankings for grades 7-9 in the 200-meter run with a personal-best time of 25.51 seconds, according to her personal coach James Laurence, of Legerity Sports Performance.
“She has a lot of raw ability and has a great worth ethic for such a young age,” Laurence said. “She’s extremely competitive and does a good job balancing things and having fun.”
Ford and her 400 relay team, which included Faith Marshall, Paige Patton, Bonet Henderson, are ranked No. 7 nationally with a time of 52 seconds, according to athletic.net.
She has covered the 400 meters in 59 seconds and stretched 16 feet, 6 inches in the long jump. She holds school records in the 200, 400 and long jump.
“Lauryn has been such a pleasure to coach in track this season,” said Northwood’s Emily Paul, whose girls finished unbeaten in dual meets and was second in the all-district showdown. “She is very goal-oriented and works hard day in and day out to meet her goals. I’m very proud of her hard work and accomplishments and look forward to having her back next year.”
Ford will look to advance in the 200, 400 and long jump at the USATF Junior Olympic meet at French Field on Saturday. The top seven placers advance to the regionals in Spokane, where the five placers move on to the nationals in Houston in late July.
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