With the girls track team having around 100 people participating, it may feel difficult to stand out. Yet, freshman Peyton Richardson stands out of the crowd for her love of running and her positivity towards the team. Having only started Cross Country last year and track this year, she has already grown so much as a runner. Not only does Richardson do track, but she also competes in Cross Country and is a member of Sparkle Squad.
“I want to do track because I can do more for Cross Country season and get ready for cross country,” Richardson said.
Track and Cross Country coach Darrell Lewis has been coaching her for the past year, and has already seen how much of an impact track has had on Peyton’s running.
“She’s come a long way since she first started. It was like we’re on a minute walk and minute run,” Lewis said.
When first starting Cross Country, she was brand new to running but she quickly picked up and began running with the team, advancing from alternating one minute walks and one minute runs, to running the entire 30 minutes. Her improvement in running isn’t the only thing she has gained from Cross Country and Track.
“I mostly like my friends and mostly my teammates. They love pushing me harder,” Richardson said.
Between Cross Country, Track and Sparkle Squad, Richardson has gained many new friends through becoming involved in activities and athletics.
“I built new friends, I have really good friends,” Richardson said.
Peyton also began to participate in Sparkle Squad. While she had never danced or cheered before, Sparkle Squad coach Jennifer Shannon called her the “hype women” as she was so excited at every practice and had that excitement in everything she did.
“I love when you get out there and get to do it,” Richardson said.
Peyton participated in both football and basketball Sparkle Squad with cheer along with the dance performance. Tuesday, Feb. 4 at a Varsity Boys Basketball game Peyton performed with the Sparkle Squad for the first time. As much as she says she has learned from sports, it’s evident that everyone around her has also learned from her.
“She has more of an impact than I think she even realizes she has,” Lewis said. “She’s always smiling at just these random moments where something might seem insignificant to someone else on the team, she just gets really excited about it. And the fact that she has that excitement, everybody else gets excited about it.”
Peyton brings joy to every practice and all she is around. Her positivity spreads to those around her. Her love for running and Sparkle Squad brings excitement to practices.
“I love when you get out there, you get out there and get to do it. I love it when you’re getting your hair done, doing a lot of cheering and mostly doing practices,” Richardson said.
