Gabrielle Lanzendorfer is a freshman here at CHS who decided to join the track team for her first year. She wanted to do track for fun, since her real passion was basketball, after this year though, this all may change. The day of time trials, which is when the coaches decide who will go in what events, was an exciting day for everyone. Gabby was most definitely a sprinter, a very fast one.

From that day on she would be in the following events: 100, 200, 4x1, and the 4x4 relays. She would also break some of Central’s old school records including the 100 record set by Erica Smith in 1995 with a time of 12.47, Gabby ran a 12.40 to break that record. She also broke the 200-school record set by Chris Yingling in 1984 with a time of 26.0, and Gabby ran with a time of 25.7. She set records at the Laurel Highlands Conference for the 100 and 200-yard dashes. She was 2nd place by 6/100s in the 100, and 2nd place by 7/100s in the 200 at districts earlier this week. She was also named the Blair County All-star Athlete.

Although Gabby is fast, she has a unique way of running. Her arms cross her chest when she runs, something that is considered as bad form and that is supposed to slow down your speed. She has been working on her running form, but can’t seem to perfect it. The coaches don’t want her to worry too much about it because worrying could cause her to slow down. She will travel to Shippensburg with Coach Conlon on Thursday, to be at states for Friday and Saturday.

In my interview with Coach Conlon yesterday, in his room, he seemed very excited and ready to head down to states, and to watch, as well as add support for Gabby. When asked if he thought she would place at states, he responded with the following: “Well, she is seeded 9th in the state of PA in the 100, and seeded 11th in the 200. The difference between 1st place and 12th place is a blink of the eye, meaning that, the times are so close that anyone, on any give day, could be a state champion. If she comes out of the block perfect and has a perfect race, she will place in the top 8 in both the 100 and the 200.” Whether or not she places doesn’t diminish the fact that she is only a freshman and is going to states in her first year as a runner. Coach Conlon described Gabby as “Quiet, respectful, and she doesn’t have an attitude. She wants to learn, she wants to improve, and she wants to win!”

I think Gabby has the possibility to do well at states, and even if she “hips out,” I think she will still do well in life. By getting to know her from track, she seems like a very determined young lady, with a good head on her shoulders. I think she will be successful in her lifetime. She not only stands out on the track team as a good runner, but she seems to stand out as an overall good person, and that’s why I consider Gabrielle Lanzendorfer to be a “diamond in the rough.”