Ready for ‘Prime Time’

Updated: October 26, 2011 9:34PM

GRIFFITH — Taylor Austin was preparing for cross country practice a couple of days ago when someone said: ‘Hey, Prime Time.’

“The first time she called me that, I didn’t think she was talking to me,’’ Austin said, referring to Griffith coach Shannon Scheidel’s nickname for her.

“I started calling her ‘Prime Time’ recently,’’ smiled Scheidel, claiming Austin earned it based on her performance this postseason.

The Panthers’ star said she likes the nickname.

Considering the results from her races recently, the nickname fits.

The junior won the Northwest Crossroads Conference race for the third straight year, placed first at the Hammond Sectional, took second at the Crown Point Regional and was seventh at the New Prairie Semistate.

Her final goal this season — to finish among the top 20 runners and earn all-state honors — can be accomplished when she competes at the girls state cross country meet Saturday in Terre Haute.

“It’s the last race until next year,’’ said Austin, who set a personal record of 18:44 at New Prairie.

“I’ve got to go all out and leave nothing behind — nothing. Got to go.’’

Austin’s motivation stems from last year’s semistate, where she finished 19th and didn’t qualify for state.

As a freshman, she placed 35th at state after finishing 12th at semistate.

“Not getting out last year really motivated me over the summer,’’ Austin said. “I just didn’t get out fast enough last year. I got caught between a bunch of people and then tripped over some people. I was real upset.’’

Austin had some upsetting things occur during her sophomore season aside from some races she didn’t like.

Her hips started bothering her about midway through the season.

“It started a little bit before conference,’’ she said. “The pain was really bad sometimes.’’

When the pain in her hips returned at the Andrean Invite to start this season, it continued to bother her periodically.

Finally, after enduring a lot of pain at the Highland Invite, Austin went to a chiropractor.

“My pelvis is uneven — one side is higher than the other,’’ she said. “The chiropractor said it might have just grown like that. We’re not really sure.’’

Austin does a series of exercises and stretching techniques to help with the hip issues. In fact, she goes through a whole routine before each practice and race.

In addition to the exercises, there’s lots of icing. She also uses a bio-freeze (Icy Hot) on her hips, which helps numbs the pain.

“She’s not really thinking about the pain in her hips when she runs now, she’s just focusing on the race,’’ Scheidel said. “She told me she couldn’t wait for Saturday. She’s very excited about the race.

“The way she’s been practicing and racing, she’s ready. She’s running really well right now. She’s been running a lot smarter lately. She’s running the race the way she should be and not getting herself overly excited.

“Taylor told me in June, she wasn’t going to have a repeat of last year, this season. She had the mindset she was going to get to state. She worked hard all season. Her goal was to get there no matter what, and she did.’’

Austin is ready to complete her mission with what she hopes is a memorable race at state.

“I’m really excited about the race,’’ she said. “I was very upset about not making it out of semistate last year. It’s something that’s really motivated me. I just want to make the top 20. That’s my goal.’’ 

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