Lauryn Aunkst has been a member of Milton’s Girls Soccer and Track and Field teams for the past four years.
“I was always into sports as a young kid; my older sisters were involved in sports,” Lauryn said. She added that she was always active as a kid, whether it was playing soccer, running, or dancing around her living room– She was always moving.
Lauryn said she saw hurdling videos online and always knew she wanted to be a hurdler and run at the collegiate level. Since her freshman year she said she has worked hard and pushed herself.
Lauryn’s main events in track and field are the 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles and occasionally the 4×400 meter relay. She qualified for Districts for track and field in her junior year and was seeded 13th. At the Lock Haven invite, Lauryn placed sixth overall and now holds the women’s school record in the 2000-meter Steeplechase, which consists of five laps, four water barriers and 18 hurdles.
Lauryn said she does not plan to join any new sports and will be sticking to soccer and track and field to finish out her high school career, but she added that she was also on the cheer team each season in her freshman and sophomore years.
“I always prioritize school over anything because I want to go to college for nursing,” Lauryn said. Whenever she gets the chance to focus on just her sports, she said she makes sure to try her hardest and push herself to her limit. Lauryn will also be attending college at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa., to do Track and Field.
Lauryn suggests that athletes who want to try another sport or anyone who wants to join sports in general to check out track and field and soccer and try it out. Her advice is to “always try your best.” She added, “there will be bumps throughout anything you do, but do not give up.”
Lauryn said she also thanks Athletic Director Mr. Rod Harris, who is also her Track and Field Coach, for playing a vital role in her hurdling career. She said he helped improve technique and skill and always believed in her and has been supportive.
Coach Harris said Lauryn is a great girl who has matured so much as a person and an athlete over the years. He also said she works hard and understands her roles and what is expected of her.
“I am very excited for her and wish her the best,” Coach Harris said.
