Top talent

PALMER - Hallie Huggins is headed to West Point in July for a month of basic training before starting the fall semester at the military academy. But before she goes she has a few things to accomplish.

She has her eyes set on winning four individual state track and field titles at the state championships this weekend at West Valley High School in Fairbanks.

Huggins, a senior at Colony High School, is a talent in multiple sports. On the hardwood, she was a leader on the Colony volleyball squad. And on the track, she's one of the top athletes in the state. And don't get the idea she's a volleyball player who competes in track and field just to stay in shape.

&#8220I enjoy it. It's fun to compete,” she said. &#8220Instead of 6-on-6 or 5-on-5 like it is in volleyball and basketball. In track it is 1-on-1. (It's) you and the other runner next to you.”

Huggins has the best distance in the triple jump in the state this season, going 36 feet, 2.75 inches.

There is more to the 5-foot-3 Huggins. She is also holds the fastest time in the state in the 100-meter dash (10.0), and the 100 hurdles (16.08).

She also runs the 200, but she's more than a four-event wonder.

&#8220I could probably use her in any one of eight events,” Colony track coach Pat Cunningham said. &#8220She might not do as well in the others as she does in the 100, the hurdles and the triple jump, but she'd be competitive, that's the kind of competitor she is.”

Huggins does not believe size determines the quality of the athlete.

&#8220I'm small, yes,” said Huggins. &#8220But I've always believed - and I know it's a cliché - that it is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.”

Sometimes, being smaller in stature also can be an advantage.

&#8220I think my size has helped me overcome a lot, too,” Huggins said. &#8220I think my turnover (on my steps), how I accelerate, helps me better. I'm taking more strides than the taller girls, so I can accelerate faster.”

Size hasn't prevented Huggins from establishing five school records at Colony. She broke the triple jump record earlier this year that had been held by Jessica Moore, a 6-3 forward who now plays professional basketball for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association.

In addition to the triple jump mark, Huggins has the fastest time in the 100 and the 100 hurdles. She also holds the record for most pull-ups, and the squat record for girls.

Last year, she placed fourth at the state championships in the triple jump, second in the 100 and fifth in the 200. But headed down the stretch this season, Huggins appears to be the person to beat in the triple jump and 100 meters. She will be challenged in the hurdles and 200, but that doesn't discourage her.

&#8220The 200 is the hardest event for me,” she explained. &#8220I am strong over the first 175 meters, but drop off in the end.”

The triple jump is her thing and she has been consistently outstanding in the event all season.

&#8220It's a feel thing, knowing where your body is at all times,” Huggins said of the triple jump.

Once she is done with school Huggins will head off to her next big challenge, 30 days of basic training and being disconnected from her family.

&#8220That will be the hardest thing I will do this year,” she said. &#8220Not being able to talk to my family for that long will be hard.”

After completing the basic training, which she said she knew she could handle, Huggins will begin studying with the goal of becoming a doctor motivating her forward.

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or at darrell.breese@frontiersman.com.