This week, we recognize Taylor Wilbur, a sophomore at Stanley-Boyd High School as the Stanley-Boyd Athlete of the Week. Her hard work and determination have made a significant impact on the track team this season.
One of Taylor’s standout moments came during her 400-meter race, where she achieved a personal record (PR). She shares, “One of my best performances is when I ran my 400 and got a PR.”
Throughout the season, Wilbur has faced the challenge of recovering from injuries while battling feelings of underperformance. She explains, "One of the biggest challenges in track is recovering from injuries and feeling like you're underperforming. How I have overcome these is by practicing hard and doing what my coaches say to help me recover."
Wilbur joined track at age 12 and quickly fell in love with the sport. “Everyone was making it seem like this awesome thing, so I decided to try it. It was awesome, so I stuck with it throughout middle school, and I plan to continue with it throughout high school,” she reflects.
Her support system includes her coaches and friends, who have been integral to her journey. “My biggest support throughout track were my coaches and friends. My main coach, Mr. Thompson, has made the biggest impact. He has encouraged me to do better and take track seriously and he has helped me do so by training and always having positive feedback,” she says.
Coach Braxton Thompson commends Wilbur’s dedication, noting that despite previous challenges with injuries, she has participated in every meet this season, scoring points consistently. He emphasizes that while she may not always be the highest scorer, the points she contributes are crucial to the team’s overall success and “help tremendously at the end of the meet when adding up team scores.” He adds that she does everything that she is asked to do and more, without any grumbling or whining.
Looking ahead, Wilbur has clear goals for the rest of the season. “My personal goals for the rest of the season are to be a good teammate, and PR at every meet the rest of the season.” This focus illustrates her commitment to both her own success and that of her team.
In addition to track, she has participated in cross country and basketball but has chosen to focus her energy on track and barrel racing in the summer. Taylor Wilbur's dedication, resilience, and team spirit make her a deserving choice for Stanley-Boyd's Athlete of the Week. We look forward to seeing her continue to thrive as the season progresses!