Heritage runners ink college decisions
Heritage 2017 graduates Noor Sabeeh and Kailyn McLaughlin inked their letters of intent on Thursday.
In front of dozens of their classmates, teachers, administrators and peers inside of Heritage High School’s theater, Sabeeh signed her letter of intent to run cross country at Dalton State College and McLaughlin signed her John Hancock to run track at Truett McConnell University.
While standing in front of a slew of Heritage students and supporters, Heritage principal Ronnie Bradford said runners are a different kind of athlete.
“Running whether you are running distance or running hurdles, you are kind of on your own,” Bradford said. “It’s not a team sport; you are kind of on your own. You are not a part of a big group and you are not counting on one another. These two work hard in the hottest season outside; it’s not easy. Kailyn has worked hard to where she is, so has Noor. They put in the miles, the time and they have done the sprints, and they gave them the opportunity to continue to run at the next level. I’m very proud of both these ladies.”
McLaughlin, who will be hurdling for Truett, had a standout track season. She was able to make Class AAAA state sectionals, and in the region championship track meet, finished second in the 300 meter (50.47).
“She had a tremendous season,” Heritage track coach David Gibson said. “Would of loved to have more time with her, but I am excited for her to move on to the next level.”
The future biology major said she chose Truett because the school is closer than other schools. Once acclimated to her new experience, she said she plans on dedicating her blood, sweat and tears to the program.
“I think I can help them as far as putting in my time and effort in hurdles to help them succeed,” she said.
For Sabeeh, much of her time will be focused on cross country, but Gibson said she will participate in some club track as she was a regular track athlete at Heritage.
Gibson said some of her personal bests for 2017 included a 5:56.70 in the 1600 meters, a 12:28.74 in the 3200-meter race and a 20:10 in the cross country 5k run.
With exceptional times in the books, the future nursing major said she chose Dalton because there is already a substantial contingent of Heritage alumni attending the institution of higher learning.
“Dalton is a really great program and most of our girls went there which made me want to run there,” she said. “And just seeing how much they have improved and have gotten better over time just makes me want to run there even more.”
Her goal, she said, is to break within the 19-minute mark in the 5k run.