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Pasco's LaShawn Vaughns loves track, loves to compete, and most of all, loves to win.
By JAMAL THALJI
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 26, 2001
DADE CITY -- Pasco sprinter LaShawn Vaughns is unlike any freshman Raven Lewis has ever coached.
"What makes her so different?" Lewis said. "She has certain goals that she has set for herself and she isn't going to stop until she reaches them."
What goals? School records? Ribbons and medals? A college scholarship?
"All of the above," Lewis said. "She's always looking to do better, and as long as she does her best, she's okay with it. If she hasn't done her best then she isn't happy with that. If she has goals she hasn't reached, she won't settle for that."
Not only does Vaughns bring determination and drive to the track, but one other important, and to Lewis, unique ingredient -- she listens.
"That's a dying breed," Lewis said. "It may be extinct."
Yet Vaughns is flourishing in her first prep track season, one she has eagerly anticipated for years since her days running track as a child at Cox Elementary school and later at Pasco Middle School.
The Pirates' newest star is already a district champion in the 100 meters, running it in 12.42 seconds, and the long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 1 inch. She will also compete in the 200 and the 4x100 relay at today's Class 2A, Region 2 meet at Central's Bears Den.
She loves winning, almost as much as she loves competing.
"I just love track," she said. "I just love running. I just love being with the best, seeing the best and competing with the best and winning with the best. It just makes me want to try harder and focus some more."
Focus? Lewis isn't worried about Vaughns losing hers.
"I don't have to motivate her to do stuff," he said.
"She's very manageable, very focused. She's got her priorities. I mean, for a freshman, she's definitely focused. That's the best way I can describe her, she's focused on what she wants to do."
Vaughns broke into the prep scene as a member of the Pirates' varsity basketball team and emerged as a key player. The freshman has already finished second in the 100 and long jump and third in the 4x100 at the Sunshine Athletic Conference meet.
"Nobody is barely even my age out there," she said. "They brag about what time they're running and stuff, and I just keep quiet, keep focused, and try to run my own race.
"And when we race, I'm the one winning."
Said Lewis: "With her work ethic and her willingness to listen and follow instructions, she can go to any program in the country and a good coach can help her excel.
"She's very coachable, very pleasant and fun to be around."