AUSTIN – Taylor Wiseman wasn’t going to be stopped throwing for the final time in a Childress Lady Bobcat uniform.
Driven from a disappointing ending to her junior season, Wiseman made this senior year a road to redemption by accomplishing her mission of a double gold medal champion at the UIL Class 3A state track and field meet Thursday at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
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Wiseman, who is just getting started as a University of Oregon signee, was the story of the Texas Panhandle during the field event portion of the meet winning two golds with a dominating performance in the discus and a record-setting effort in the shot-put.
“I’m very happy with how I competed here at state,” Wiseman said. “I’m normally never satisfied instead of enjoying the moment, but I feel great after what I accomplished.”
This was Wiseman’s third trip to Mike A. Myers in the past three years. She took a silver in the shot put as a sophomore but last year after being ranked as one of the state’s top throwers, Wiseman had a rough day at regionals only getting out in the discus and didn’t medal at the state meet.
Not medaling a year ago stuck with Wiseman so she made this track season one for the ages.
“Last year was extremely hard,” Wiseman said. “I was able to go to nationals and rebound but I wanted to prove myself and show what kind of athlete I am.”
Wiseman set the tone right out of the gate Thursday morning in the discus tossing out a 154-1 and a 156-10 to set the tone. Her best throw came on her fourth attempt at 159-4. In fact, out of all six throws not one came under 154-feet.
The shot put was even more impressive. After tossing out three big throws over 43-feet, Wiseman uncorked a 47-2 to set the new Class 3A state record as her name will now sit in all the record books.
“I knew I had to do good today” Wiseman said. “It was the last time I was going to throw at a high school event. I wanted to represent my school and myself well and I feel I was able to do that.”
Childress throwing coach Kolby Pool has been with Wiseman all four years of high school. Watching the dedication pay off and seeing a new state as well as a school-record fall was the best gift for him.
“Taylor is an incredible teammate and everyone else biggest cheerleader,” Pool said. “She has a drive I’ve never seen and she’s a great example for the school. She has meant a lot to this program. It was special to see how she responded from last season and phone to watch. It all came together and I’m so proud.” To respond to have the season like she has is special and fun to watch. It all came together here at state.”
Winning these two medals is just an end of a chapter for Wiseman. As she preps to throw at a premiere program like Oregon she’ll now focus on a busy summer.
“Winning these gold medals set the tone for me,” Wiseman said. “I’m going to the Outdoor Nationals in the U20 in June, and I have a shot at the Pan American Games. I feel having my best day at the state meet is the momentum I needed going into those events.”