Jaydyn Macklin is a sophomore on the varsity track team, and her freshman year, she was a key asset that allowed Westside to be state champions. She was a part of the 4 by 400 relay team that won first place and now holds a school record. This year, she is running the 200m and she participates in the long jump. Although her 200m did not qualify for state, she will be competing in long jump. This season has been a little rocky for her as she was out for three weeks due to a quad injury. Throughout the season, Macklin has not only set goals for herself, but for the team as well.
“As a team, I really want to build a strong bond with my teammates. Last year, I was grateful to be a part of such a supportive team, and I want to carry that supportive energy into this season,” Macklin said. “Personally, my goal is medal in an individual event at state and go sub-60[seconds] in the 400”
Macklin will have a chance to reach one of her goals, medaling in an individual event with her long jump. Macklin was first introduced to track in third grade when her mom entered her into a Little Warriors meet, and though she has not been running track consistently since then, she has played other sports that have allowed her to become a better track athlete.
“It’s incredible to think that I am now running on the same track at the same school where my track journey began!…Currently, I am working on my form in the long jump and coming out of blocks in the hopes of improving my times and distance,” Macklin said.
Andante Lloyd is this year’s track coach, and this is his first year coaching. For many years before, John Preister was the track coach. Though Macklins says that everyone misses Coach Preister, the program still is very strong.
“Sometimes getting a new coach sets back a program, but I feel that the boys’ and girls’ Westside track teams are glad Lloyd was next in line after Preister for the job,” Macklin said.
Lloyd believes that Macklin is a great athlete and that she has an amazing work ethic. Addressing her injury, though it put her out for a few weeks, she was able to work back to where she was.
“[She] suffered an injury to her quad early this season. That was a major blow as she is a very versatile athlete that we had thought to introduce to events like the hurdles or possibly triple jump,” Lloyd said. “She took that setback in stride and did the things she needed to do with the training staff to get back as soon as she could.”
Looking to the future, not only does Macklin run track, but she also is on the varsity basketball team which helps improve her athleticism. She has a chance to run track in college.
“I have definitely considered the option of doing track in college. However, I haven’t fully committed to the idea yet,” Macklin said.
From a coach’s perspective, Lloyd is able to absorb the things that Macklin does and he interacts with her on a daily basis. He has seen things that are her strengths, as well as things that she could improve upon.
“Overall, Macklin’s strength is how coachable she is. Beyond that she has natural athleticism, which allows her to do an array of event in track and field” Lloyd said.
According to Lloyd, Macklin’s area she could improve is her niceness.
“If there were an area where I think she could improve, I would say is being too nice. Macklin is a very smart young lady who is also very nice and gets along with everyone,” Lloyd said. “I would like to see her bring more of a ferocity to her events but in a competitive way.”
Macklin will be a competing member at the state track meet this week. She and the rest of the team are hoping to bring as many state medals back as they can. Make sure to see how Macklin and the rest of the Westside track team do at state.
