Fayetteville's Holmes sets sights on winner's

FAYETTEVILLE -- Lauren Holmes has done more on athletic fields and in arenas in less than two years than most will accomplish in a career. She's a two-time all-conference and all-state selection in basketball, and she was the high-point scorer for her team at the 7A state meet as a sophomore in track. Holmes also was named the Newcomer of the Year by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in basketball last season, then Athlete of the Year in track by the NWADG in track later that same school year. Now a junior with so much already accomplished, Holmes still wants more. Despite many goals checked off her list, there's a lot on the track and field scene Holmes still has in her sights. Holmes helped Fayetteville to a third place team finish at the state meet last year, scoring 27 points on her own. That included a runner-up finish in the 100-meter hurdles, a runner-up in the triple jump, a third place in the long jump and a fourth place showing in the 100-meter dash. What Holmes quickly points out is her strong performance didn't include any wins. Now she's working hard to change that. "First I want to help the team win," Holmes said. "But I want to win myself this year. Coming out of basketball that season didn't end the way we wanted, so I just want to win this year." Holmes faced stiff competition at last year's state meet after proving herself as one of the top all-around track athletes in the 7A-West Conference as a sophomore. It took a pair of current Arkansas Razorbacks -- sisters Tori and Lexi Weeks of Cabot -- to keep Holmes from winning at state a year ago. The Weeks sisters were the only two to finish ahead of Holmes in the long jump. In the triple jump, Tori Weeks finished in first to Holmes' second. In the 100 hurdles, it was Lexi Weeks winning the crown with Holmes settling for runner up. Despite the close calls behind some top talent, that all-around great performance showed Holmes just how good she could be out on the track. "I think last year a lot of the events surprised her," Fayetteville track coach Drew Yoakum said. "I think when she went out in the heptathlon that kind of woke her up, and this year she's come out and won and proven it every time we've had a meet. "She's been incredible in every event we've put her in, so her future looks great." Holmes has one state title to her credit, as a vital part of Fayetteville's 2014-15 7A state champion basketball team. Now she and the Lady'Dogs' track team appear primed for a run at another championship. Holmes currently holds the third-fastest time in the state this outdoor season in the 100 hurdles (15.47) and the second long mark in the triple jump (37 feet, 7 inches). After being slowed at Fayetteville's own Bulldog Relays with an ankle injury in the 100 hurdles, the best this season for Holmes is only yet to come. Even with so much accomplished already in her high school career, Holmes knows now is the time to win. "We just have to keep working and stay focused," Holmes said. "Just keep going at it every day."

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Fayetteville High School Athletics

FAYETTEVILLE'S HOLMES SETS SIGHTS ON WINNER'S

VERNON TARVER

NWADG | 4/14/2016

PHOTO CREDIT: NWADG