By Blake Chadwick

For Maize High School’s Parker Bender, she is all about winning on and off the track.

Bender is a sprinter who has been running since seventh grade and is the current defending AVCTL-1 champion in the 100m dash with a time of 12.25, the 200m dash with a time of 25.13, and a champion in the 4×100 and 4x400m relay.

The senior knows she has an image to uphold as she leads her team and doesn’t stop working hard, whether that is staying after for practice or running extra on her own. The senior has to be great.

“My personal goals this season are to set new personal records and make it to state again,” Bender said. “My team goals really are just to have fun and work hard as a team.”

Through her winning, the senior has also been an excellent leader for the Eagles’ track team.

“I like to set the example of doing everything to your best ability but also focus on respecting your teammates and coaches,” Bender said.

After a really solid junior year that led to a third-place finish in the 200m and a fourth-place finish in the 100m dash, Bender has plans to go out with a bang and stand even higher on the podium this year.