In Cape Henry’s first season competing in Winter Track and Field, this Week’s Athlete of the Week has proven there is little she cannot do on a track; whether indoors or outdoors, Senior Hazel Tankard, excels in each event she competes.

“The greatest athletes perform best when the spotlight is the brightest and Saturday was no exception for Hazel,” Head Coach Jim Lancaster said of Hazel Tankard. “ What really sticks out is, Hazel alone would have finished 9th in the state. She also finished the day as the second leading scorer with 28.5 points while carrying the Dolphins to a 3rd place finish in the VISAA State Tournament.”

Hazel finished the VISAA State tournament as the State Champion in the Triple Jump with a personal record of 34’-9.5”. She followed this performance with a second personal record of the day with an 8.78 second 55m Hurdle and finished as the State Runner-up. Taking the bronze medal en route to a third personal record of the day, Hazel finished the Long Jump with an outstanding leap of 16’- 6”. In addition to the three personal records, Hazel finished the day with a 4th place finish in the High Jump.

“Hazel did not perform as well as she would have liked in what is, arguably, her best event. However, she was not deterred and continued to set personal records in her next three events,” Coach Jim Lancaster continued. “ It is rare for a High School student-athlete to overcome the adversity involved with under-performing in an event she is used to dominating. The mental fortitude to continue to not only compete but to excel afterward is what separates Hazel from her competition. Not to mention, she wasn’t feeling her best the night before.”

From the outside, Hazel truly is the most accomplished Track and Field Athlete Cape Henry has seen in a number of years. However, the determination and leadership she brings to the Dolphin program is underrated.

Coach Lancaster explained, “She brings discipline to the program and her teammates follow her lead at all times. She is very focused on her craft and her drive to be the best in every event is unmatched.” Coach Lancaster added, “Her maturity is an underrated aspect of her leadership. She is able to lead by example, as she demonstrates impeccable character at all times, as well as, the ability to lead vocally while coaching the younger athletes. This is not something she just does, this is something she lives.”

Her enthusiasm day in and day out is a huge part of the success this program has seen this year and in more ways than one, Cape Henry is fortunate to have her lead the program. With Winter Track and Field concluded, Hazel will move onto outdoor Track and Field where she will compete in her final season before heading to Davidson College to compete at the collegiate level.