Soldotna senior Brittany Taylor inked a letter of intent to run indoor and outdoor track and field for the University of Alaska Anchorage Wednesday afternoon at Soldotna High School. Taylor is planning to study with the nursing program.
Taylor is an accomplished middle distance runner for SoHi and last spring won the Region III title at 400 meters, and finished second at state in the event a week later. Her personal bests are 26.16 seconds in the 200 meters and 59.82 seconds in the 400.
“I’m excited and nervous at the same time,” Taylor said. “It’s an honor to go run for UAA because they’re Division II, and it’s not that I wasn’t expecting to go run track in college, but UAA is still pretty exciting. It’s a big deal for me.”
Taylor is the third full commitment signee that SoHi head coach Phil Leck has sent off in his time with the Stars, along with 2018 SoHi grad Brenner Furlong, 2015 grad Dani McCormick and 2016 grad Aaron Swedberg. McCormick also ran at UAA and currently holds the Seawolves school record in the women’s 800 meters.
Leck said Taylor made her impact on the SoHi track program as a team player, putting in effort in whatever events Leck needed her to run in order to maximize team points.
“She’s kind of had a rollercoaster career,” Leck said. “She had a dominant freshman year, then had a bit of a sophomore slump but worked hard and had an outstanding year last year. I think she’s a kid that has natural ability and work ethic if she commits herself. I think she could do well.”
Taylor said she plans to primarily race the 400, but could also compete in the 200 as well in spot starts.
